March Madness is barreling toward its grand finale, where one final game will determine this year’s college basketball champions. After battling through the single-elimination tournament and surviving the Final Four, two teams remain in the men’s and women’s competitions—one step away from cutting down the nets.
This year, the NCAA women’s basketball national championship will air on ABC, while the men’s final will be on TBS. No matter how you prefer to watch—whether through antenna TV, cable, or streaming—there are plenty of ways to tune in. Keep reading for everything you need to know about watching the 2026 NCAA basketball national championship games.
When is the NCAA basketball national championship game?
The women’s NCAA basketball championship will happen on Sunday, April 5, while the men’s final will occur the next day on Monday, April 6. Check out our table below for start times and channel listings.
Data effective as of post date.
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Watch 2026 NCAA basketball championship game for free
You don’t need a pricey subscription to catch the men’s and women’s national championship games. An over-the-air (OTA) antenna lets you watch ABC for free, as long as you’re within range of local broadcasts. If you prefer streaming, several live TV services offer free trials. We recommend DIRECTV‘s five-day trial, which covers both ABC and TBS.
Check out the table below for more free trial options.
| Provider | Price | Deals | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | 5-day free trial |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | 5-day free trial |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | Trial length varies |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | Trial length varies |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the NCAA basketball national championship game FAQ
Where will the championship basketball game be played?
The 2026 NCAA women’s basketball national championship game will be played on Sunday, April 5, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game will be played on Monday, April 6, at 8:50 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Who were the last men's March Madness champions?
The Florida Gators won the 2025 national championship, beating the Houston Cougars, 65–63.
Who were the last women's March Madness champions?
The UConn Huskies returned to their dynastic ways and won the 2025 NCAA women’s basketball tournament after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks, 82–59.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com senior writer, Eric Chiu, analyzed this year’s NCAA March Madness schedule to break down dates, broadcast times, and more. He also cross-referenced this information with our existing streaming and TV deals coverage to ensure you get the most coverage without paying more than you need to.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
