When are March Madness brackets due? Time is running out for sending in your NCAA basketball picks
The deadline for submitting March Madness brackets is usually just before the start of the tournament’s first game.

Participating in a bracket challenge requires you to prepare and submit your picks before the tip-off of the opening game. The deadline for submission can vary depending on the platform or organization hosting the contest, and it’s crucial to check the specific rules and guidelines provided by the organizers to avoid missing out. Missing the deadline could mean forfeiting the opportunity to participate in one of the most exhilarating sporting events of the year and potentially winning prizes.
THE BRACKET 🙌#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/fo6lA8hJ7g
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2025
It’s important to know that most bracket challenges have a set deadline that participants must adhere to. The deadline is usually established to allow the organizers to process the entries and finalize the matchups before the start of the tournament. The exact deadline can vary from contest to contest, so it’s essential to check the specific rules and guidelines the organizers provide.
The common rule is that no brackets will be accepted after the start of the tournament’s first round of matches, which is Thursday, March 20 at noon ET.
Moreover, participants must ensure that their picks are finalized before the deadline. Once the deadline has passed, the organizers usually do not accept late entries, and it’s too late to make any changes to your picks. Therefore, it’s essential to set a reminder and ensure you submit your picks before the deadline, which falls on March 20 this year at noon ET.
March Madness 2025 schedule:
- Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 16 on CBS
- 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: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
🚨 CELEB BRACKETS ARE BACK 🚨
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2025
Super Bowl champ @cdejean23's bracket 🔥
Houston = 🏆
BYU 👉 Elite 8
Drake > Mizzou 👀 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/r9JbdtgYu2
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