NCAA Announces Dates, Locations for 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Photo by: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The NCAA today announced dates and locations for the Men’s Basketball Tournament and, thanks to Covid-19, it looks different this year.

Instead of being played in arenas across the country, the tournament will be held in its entirety in the state of Indiana. Additionally, instead of the normal Thursday/Friday opening round, this year will see opening weekend stretched from Friday-Monday.

The following weekend, moves from Thursday-Sunday to Saturday-Tuesday. The Final Four is still on its normal schedule of two national semifinals on Saturday night, and the national championship on Monday night.

Here are the key dates and locations:

Purdue: Mackey Arena (West Lafayette)
Indiana: Assembly Hall (Bloomington)
Pacers: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Butler: Hinkle Fieldhouse
IUPUI: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the NFL Colts, two courts available if necessary)
All locations in Indianapolis unless noted

March 18: First Four (Purdue, Indiana)

March 19-22: First and second rounds (Purdue, Indiana, Pacers, Butler, IUPUI, Colts)

March 27-28: Sweet 16 (Pacers, Butler)

March 29-30: Elite Eight (Lucas Oil Stadium)

April 3-5: Final Four and National Championship (Lucas Oil Stadium)