- The First Four games of the NCAA Tournament are being held Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18 and 19. They’re an appetizer, of sorts, for the first round of March Madness, one of the most anticipated basketball tournaments of the year.
Selection Sunday is behind us. Now it’s time for March Madness to get underway. (Sorry, HR directors!)
The NCAA Tournament is one of the highlights of spring and while the Round of 64 will get underway later this week, fans will get an appetizer starting tonight with the First Four games.
This matchup sees the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams face off in an attempt to make it to the official tournament. It’s where Cinderella stories are born and where longshot bets can pay off (though rarely do).
Here’s a look at who’s playing in the First Four—and some options to watch them.
What is the schedule for the NCAA Tournament’s First Four games?
Here’s who’s playing in the First Four.
Tuesday, March 18
St. Francis vs. Alabama State, 6:40 p.m. ET on TruTV
UNC vs. San Diego State, 9:10 p.m. ET on TruTV
Wednesday, March 19
Mt. St. Mary’s vs. American, 6:40 p.m. ET on TruTV
Xavier vs. Texas, 9:10 p.m. ET on TruTV
(Hoping to watch First Round games for free without cable? Here’s how.)
How can I watch the First Four games for free?
Ok, here’s the bad news. None of the First Four games will be broadcast over the air, meaning you’ll need either a cable subscription or a streaming service to watch. Many streaming services have done away with free trials, but a few remain. See below for details.
Can I watch the 2025 First Four games online?
Yep! Here are a few other options.
Max
The one-time HBO Max doesn’t have a free trial, unfortunately. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month.
Disney+
Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch any March Madness games on Amazon Prime Video?
No. March Madness do not stream on Amazon, unless you purchase a subscription to a streaming service.
