DAZN, the premier global sports streaming platform, has announced that it will provide free access to the 2026 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, commonly known as “March Madness,” for fans across a wide range of international territories.
The deal offers international audiences a front-row seat to the high-stakes action as 68 teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions compete for the national title. In addition to live coverage, DAZN will provide full replays, ensuring the tournament’s most iconic moments are accessible to both longtime followers and new viewers.
Key Dates and Locations
The tournament excitement kicks off with Selection Sunday on March 15th, when the final tournament brackets are unveiled.
- Men’s Tournament: Begins with the “First Four” on March 17th–18th, concluding with the Championship Game on April 6th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Women’s Tournament: Begins with the “First Four” on March 18th–19th, concluding with the Championship Game on April 5th at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Global Expansion of US College Basketball
“Global interest in US sport is rising fast,” said Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO. “Making it free to watch across many countries outside the US means even more fans can experience the excitement, and new audiences can discover one of the most thrilling basketball tournaments.”
As the tournament approaches, betting experts have identified the Duke Blue Devils as slight favorites in the men’s bracket, closely followed by the Michigan Wolverines. On the women’s side, the defending champions, the University of Connecticut Huskies, remain the team to beat.
Where to Watch
The free broadcast will be available in selected regions, including:
- Europe: UK, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Bulgaria.
- Middle East & North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
- Asia: The Philippines.