March Madness Round of 32 — 2026 NCAA Tournament
Men's Games
Men's bracket games will appear here once the NCAA announces matchups after Selection Sunday (March 15).
Women's Games
Women's bracket games will appear here once the NCAA Women's Tournament bracket is announced.
About the Round of 32
The Round of 32 (second round) narrows the field from 64 to 32 teams. Sixteen games are played Saturday and Sunday at the same host sites from the first round. Many of the tournament's biggest cinderella stories crystallize here — a team that survived a close first-round game goes on to shock a top-4 seed. The 32 winners advance to four regional sites for the Sweet 16.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 NCAA Tournament Round of 32?
The Round of 32 is March 21–22, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday), at the same 8 sites used for the Round of 64.
What channel is the Round of 32 on?
Round of 32 games air on CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. The CBS game is usually the marquee matchup. All games stream on NCAA March Madness Live.
How many teams advance past the Round of 32?
16 teams advance to the Sweet 16. The field is cut in half from 32 to 16 winners over the two-day weekend.
What seeds typically win in the Round of 32?
Top seeds (1–4) are heavily favored, but double-digit seeds make runs regularly. 11-seeds who survived the First Four can be dangerous. A 10-seed or lower reaches the Sweet 16 in most years.