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It’s been almost two full years since we’ve been able to witness a March Madness game. Virginia winning the 2019 title legitimately feels like it was a decade ago. Soon enough though, the NCAA Tournament will be back in our lives and we’ll consume it as we’ve never consumed it before.
Just after the calendar flipped to 2021, the NCAA announced that the entire tournament will be played in the state of Indiana creating a bubble-like environment for the teams that get a bid. On Tuesday, the NCAA shared its new updated schedule for March Madness this year.
The first round will begin on March 19-20, a Friday and Saturday, and the second round will begin March 21-22, a Sunday and Monday. The Sweet 16 will start on March 27 and go through March 28. The Elite Eight will take place on March 29 and 30th, a Monday and Tuesday. The Final Four will take place on April 3 while a national champion will be crowned two days later on the 5th.
🚨 #MarchMadness Scheduling Update!
🏀 March 18 – First Four
🏀 March 19/20 – First Round
🏀 March 21/22 – Second Round
🏀 March 27/28 – Sweet 16
🏀 March 29/30 – Elite 8
🏀 April 3 – Final Four
🏀 April 5 – National Championship👉 https://t.co/faeZsTVieb pic.twitter.com/0grpnEwAn4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 19, 2021
Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Purdue’s Mackey Arena, and Indiana University’s Assembly Hall. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
When it comes to fans attending March Madness this year, no announcement has been made regarding general attendance, but senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt has explained that family members will be able to attend games.
The pandemic began making a major impact on the country just about a week prior to last season’s tournament which led the NCAA to the decision of canceling March Madness altogether.