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With the highest ratings in eight years with nearly 21 million viewers, the NCAA Men’s March Madness returns for the 2026 season. The top teams in college basketball competing against each in a one-and-done tournament to win the national championship, while the Duke Blue Devils are considered the favorite to win it all.
However, Michigan, Arizona and Florida (who won the reigning champions) are all considered contenders, so it’s going to be something special, if there’s an upset this year.
Ahead of the First Round, and taking place on Tuesday, Mar. 17, you can watch the First Four with UMBC Retrievers vs. Howard Bison at 3:40 p.m. PT/6:40 p.m. ET, and Texas Longhorns vs. NC State Wolfpack at 6:15 p.m. PT/9:15 p.m. ET. Both games broadcast on truTV and livestream on HBO Max. Check out a complete 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness schedule and bracket here.
At a Glance: How to Stream 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness Online
Want to watch online? If you want to catch all of the college basketball action, keep reading to find out how to watch the Men’s March Madness with and without a cable subscription, including ways to watch for free.
How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness Without Cable
The 2026 Men’s March Madness airs on CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV, while games livestream on Paramount+ and HBO Max. Moreover, networks CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV are also available via web-based cable alternative services, including DireTV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV — some of which offer free trials.
Ahead, find out how to watch tournament games with and without a cable subscription.
DirecTV
One of the best ways to watch games is on DirecTV.
The cable alternative’s “MySports” package offers CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV, plus more than 20 other channels, such as NBC, ABC, FOX, FOX Sports, TNT and more. In addition, the streamer has a five-day free trial available, while you can either cancel or keep the service after the free trial is over, with prices starting at $44.99 for the first two months of service ($69.99 per month afterwards).
Meanwhile, DirecTV is offering three months of Paramount+ and HBO Max for free when you signup for one of its signature packages with prices starting at $89.99 per month — after a five-day free trial. In fact, you can add up to three months of MGM+, Starz and other premium services at no additional cost.
Paramount+
Starting at just $2.99 per month for the first two month, Paramount+ features NCAA Men’s March Madness games.
Watch NCAA Men’s March Madness games starting at $2.99 per month for the first two month ($8.99 per month afterwards) for the Paramount+ Essential ad-supported plan. Aside from live sports from NFL, UFC and NCAA March Madness, subscribers can access hundreds of movies and TV series with Paramount+, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, Special Ops: Lioness and much more.
Additionally, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial for Walmart+, which comes with Paramount+. Learn more about Walmart+ and its benefits here.
HBO Max
Sign up via Prime Video
HBO Max has the B/R Sports add-on for free, as part of its streaming service.
Available through Prime Video, HBO Max’s sports hub has access to NCAA Men’s March Madness games starting at $10.99 per month; note that a Prime Membership ($14.99 monthly or $139 annually) or Prime Video subscription ($8.99 monthly) is required.
In addition, HBO Max includes NHL on TNT, U.S. Soccer, MotoGP and other sports leagues. The service also has hit movies like Sinners, One Battle After Another, Barbie, The Zone of Interest, Wonka, Avatar: The Way of Water and others, as well as award-winning series, such as The Last of Us, Hacks, The White Lotus and others.
Hulu + Live TV
Stream CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV on Hulu + Live TV for free with 3-day free trial.
The streaming service has access to more than 95 live channels — like CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV, as well as AMC, BET, CNN, Discovery Channel, ESPN, Food Network and others — starting at $89.99 per month and comes with Hulu’s entire streaming library, as well as Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited. Right now, Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, so you can watch for free.
Sling
Stream TNT, TBS and truTV, on Sling’s Orange + Blue package.
The Sling Orange + Blue package includes TNT, TBS and truTV for Men’s March Madness, while it also has AMC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform and other channels. Sling currently does not offer a free trial. Please note: Pricing and channel availability varies from TV market-to-TV market. Learn more about Sling Orange + Blue here.
How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness With Cable
The 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness tournament broadcasts across CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV in the U.S. You can watch those channels online on their respective websites by logging in with your cable TV provider account.
