Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA tournament, including where to catch all the action in San Diego.
When are the 2025 March Madness Brackets Announced?
March Madness kicks off on March 16 with Selection Sunday, when the NCAA Selection Committee officially announces the full tournament brackets for the men’s and women’s divisions, deciding on teams, seeds, and matchups.
- Women’s bracket: 5 p.m. PT
- Men’s bracket: 3 p.m. PT
When Does the NCAA March Madness Tournament Begin and End?
The first round of the men’s tournament begins March 20–21, while women’s games start March 21–22. The women’s NCAA basketball championship game takes place on Sunday, April 6, and the men’s finale is the following day on Monday, April 7.
What is the 2025 March Madness Schedule?
Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Schedule:
- First Four: March 18–19
- First Round: March 20–21
- Second Round: March 22–23
- Sweet 16: March 27–28
- Elite Eight: March 29–30
- Final Four: Saturday, April 5
- NCAA Championship Game: Monday, April 7
Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Schedule:
- First Four: March 19–20
- First Round: March 21–22
- Second Round: March 23–24
- Sweet 16: March 28–29
- Elite Eight: March 30–31
- Final Four: Friday, April 4
- NCAA Championship Game: Sunday, April 6
How Can I Watch the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament from Home?
Fans can catch all the March Madness action live on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Streaming options include: HBO Max, Paramount+, or any other services with access to the above cable networks, including YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Best San Diego Sports Bars and Watch Parties for March Madness
Park 101
This Carlsbad BBQ joint is a family-friendly destination for basketball fans featuring a multi-level complex, an outdoor patio, and a massive projector screen. Enjoy St. Louis ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and Maine lobster while cheering on the teams in your bracket this year.
3040 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad
Home & Away
A Kansas City Chiefs bar at heart, this Old Town spot is still a top venue for March Madness watch parties, featuring an oversized outdoor screen and a lively atmosphere. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m. daily so don’t fret if the game goes into overtime.
2222 San Diego Avenue, Old Town
Union Kitchen & Tap
Just steps away from Swami’s Beach, Union Kitchen & Tap is a local hotspot pairing cool vibes with game-day camaraderie. The gastropub prides itself on its extensive drink menu along with quality game-day fare that make it the ideal atmosphere for March Madness watch parties.
1108 South Coast Highway, Encinitas
Ballast Point Brewing
Catch the game at Ballast Point in Miramar, a massive, indoor-outdoor brewery and restaurant well-suited for big groups of fans. Track your bracket picks as you dine on bar bites and down Sculpins. During halftime, challenge your friends to a round of cornhole on the heated patio.
9045 Carroll Way, Miramar
Nautilus Tavern
La Jolla’s go-to sports bar offers an excellent weekday happy hour from 3–6 p.m., with half-off select draft beers, well drinks, and house wines, plus discounted appetizers—perfect for catching this year’s afternoon matchups.
6830 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla
Bay Hill Tavern
This Clairemont bar streams every game of the tournament and serves up brunch, dinner, and boozy slushies. Try the tequila-watermelon Lava Flow for a perfect game-day refreshment and accessory to an Aztec-red jersey.
3010 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont
Pacific Beach AleHouse
Visit this Pacific Beach staple for ales, hoops, and impressive ocean views this March. TV screens downstairs run 360 degrees along the perimeter and along the rooftop, so you never miss a moment.
721 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Draft
Located on the Mission Beach boardwalk, Draft offers 70 beers on tap and more than 25 TVs. Pair a 394 AleSmith pale ale with their fan-favorite beer-battered fish and chips for the ultimate game-day experience.
3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Dirty Birds
Home to some of the best wings in San Diego and featuring five San Diego locations throughout the city, Dirty Birds is a prime spot for catching NCAA basketball. Students can visit the UCSD location to cheer on the Tritons on their home turf.
Various Locations
Pretzels & Pints
This North Park gem is a must-visit for pretzel lovers and Philadelphia sports fans. Stuff your face with pretzel pizzas, pretzel bagels, or pretzel puffs alongside a pint of your choice in this cozy sports bar for a night of buzzer beaters and upsets.
3812 Ray Street, North Park
The Corner Drafthouse
Cheer on your alma mater during the tournament at The Corner Drafthouse in Bankers Hill. This neighborhood watering hole offers quality March Madness fuel for fans, including craft cocktails, loaded carne asada fries, and a large selection of local beers on tap.
495 Laurel St, Bankers Hill
Social Tap
Located just beyond Petco Park’s Gallagher Square, this pub is the ideal pregame as the MLB season and March Madness kick off this March. This upscale sports bar elevates your game-day plans with craft cocktails, a comprehensive menu, and views of Petco.
815 J Street, Gaslamp
Novo Brazil Brewing
Join fellow fans for watch parties at Novo Brazil in Mission Valley, the ultimate destination for March Madness, featuring over 100 feet of LED video walls to keep track of every team in your bracket. Your drink of choice should, of course, be the Azteks Raspberry Kombucha—a drink produced in collaboration with SDSU’s basketball program with proceeds donated to the MESA Foundation.
1640 Camino Del Rio North, Mission Valley
AleSmith Brewing Company
Typically the go-to for catching the Padres game, this March, cheer on the Aztecs and Tritons as they battle their way to March Madness greatness. It’s hard to beat college basketball paired with beers straight from the brewery’s tanks.
9990 AleSmith Ct., Miramar
Majorette
Show your Aztec pride at this College Area sports bar, a go-to spot for students and alumni alike. Make sure to visit during their weekly happy hour from 3–5 p.m. for $5 beers and order one of their underrated smash burgers.
6344 El Cajon Blvd, College Area
Fairplay
Bring your crew along to catch each round of the tournament as you order rounds of your favorite brew, liquor, or mocktail at this North Park sports bar. Pro tip: Order their take on In-N-Out’s double-double and a side of fried pickles.
4026 30th St, North Park
McGregor’s Bar and Grill
For a cozy sports bar environment, visit McGregor’s in Mission Valley just a stone’s throw from Snapdragon Stadium. Take a break from the action with a round of pool, shuffleboard, or an order of pub fare.
10475 San Diego Mission Rd, Mission Valley
Nason’s Beer Hall
Tip off your March Madness experience at Nason’s Beer Hall, a stylish sports bar on the fringe of the Gaslamp Quarter featuring multiple big screens and plenty of craft beers on tap. Arrive early for happy hour (weekdays, 3–5 p.m.), where you can enjoy a half-priced burger, $5 craft beers, and $7 well cocktails—perfect for fueling up before the action.
570 J St, Gaslamp Quarter
Sandbar Sports Grill
Looking for a beachside sports bar to catch every buzzer-beater? Sandbar Sports Grill in Mission Beach has you covered. Known for its award-winning TKO tacos, this PB favorite offers plenty of space to watch the game, plus a rooftop offering ocean views and a breather between nail-biting matchups.
718 Ventura Pl, Mission Beach
