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 CBS. 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 2025 NCAA basketball national championship games.
When is the NCAA basketball national championship game?
The women’s NCAA basketball championship will happen on Sunday, April 6, while the men’s final will occur the next day on Monday, April 7. Check out our table below for start times and channel listings.
| Game | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Women's NCAA Championship Game: (2) UConn vs. (1) South Carolina |
Sunday, April 6 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ |
|
Men's NCAA Championship Game: (1) Florida vs. (1) Houston |
Monday, April 7 | 8:50 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
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Watch 2025 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 and CBS 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 STREAM’s five-day trial, which covers both ABC and CBS.
Check out the table below for more free trial options, including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, which streams the men’s championship game via CBS.
| Provider | Price | Deals | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV STREAM | $84.99–$164.99/mo. | 5-day free trial |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | 7-day free trial |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | Trial length varies |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Paramount+ | $7.99–$12.99/mo. | 7-day free trial |
View Plans for Paramount Plus Read Paramount+ 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 2025 NCAA women’s basketball national championship game will be played on Sunday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game will be played on Monday, April 7, at 8:50 p.m. ET at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Who were the last men's March Madness champions?
The UConn Huskies are the two-time reigning champions of the men’s March Madness tournament, having won the national championship game in 2023 and 2024.
Who were the last women's March Madness champions?
The South Carolina Gamecocks won the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 87–75.
Why you should trust us
We analyzed this year’s NCAA March Madness schedule to break down dates, broadcast times, and more. We 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.
