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March Madness Bracket Deadlines 2025: When Are NCAA Tournament Brackets Due?

Gabe Henderson

Last Updated: March 20, 2025 9:15 AM EDT • 2 min 46 sec read.

March Madness Bracket Deadlines: NCAA Tournament Bracket Due Dates, Times
Pictured: Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) moves Purdue up on the bracket. Photo by Grace Hollars / IndyStar via Imagn Images.

The NCAA Tournament gets underway today with the No. 9 seed Creighton Bluejays taking on the No. 8 seed Louisville Cardinals at 12:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Tipoff from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., signifies the start of the tournament and for many, the end of the March Madness bracket submission period.

Our March Madness bracket deadlines break down the due dates and times for many popular NCAA Tournament challenges. We also provide details on an exciting opportunity for those who miss submission deadlines or whose brackets bust in the first round. To get you started, Rob Paul looked at how to win your March Madness work bracket.

👉 Need help with your bracket? Check out our March Madness expert bracket and our guide on how to fill out a March Madness bracket.

🤔 When is my March Madness bracket due?

March Madness brackets are due before the first game today. The 8 vs. 9 matchup in the South Region, Louisville vs. Creighton, gets underway today at 12:15 p.m. ET. However, double-check submission deadlines as some sites require completed brackets to be in before noon ET.

👉 Want AI-driven bracket insights? Check out our full March Madness AI bracket predictions with score predictions for every game.  

🗓️ When are March Madness bracket contests due?

Completed online March Madness brackets must be submitted by the Louisville vs. Creighton tipoff on Thursday at the latest.

Submission deadlines for the many free March Madness bracket challenges vary, but the due date for each is Thursday, March 20. We've highlighted the five most popular bracket pools below and featured their deadline times down to the minute:

NOTE: Brackets must be submitted by the second the clock strikes noon OR 12:15 p.m. ET.

A custom graphic of our March Tourney Survivor contest with $1,000 cash to the winner!
A custom graphic of our March Tourney Survivor contest with $1,000 cash to the winner!

🔮 March Madness bracket picks & tips

❓ What if I miss my March Madness bracket deadline?

If you miss your March Madness bracket deadline, you lose access to the perks of each challenge. Whether the compensation is bragging rights, cash, prizes, or sweepstakes, completed brackets must be submitted when each portal closes to qualify for rewards.

Those who miss the due dates or whose brackets are busted in the Round of 64 can still play along.

Many popular sites offer second chance bracket games - such as the ESPN Tournament Challenge Second Chance - beginning in the second round. The rules for these bracket pools are similar, they just exclude the first round and feature a later submission date. 

Keep an eye out for second-chance bracket opportunities that will open near the conclusion of the first round.

🏀 March Madness expert predictions

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👑 Best March Madness betting sites

Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.

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Written By:
Gabe Henderson
Gabe Henderson is a sports betting writer from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication. Gabe developed an interest in sports betting while in college due to its legalization in Louisiana. He turned his passion into a career shortly after, joining The Advocate/NOLA.com as a Sports Betting Content Coordinator, where he spent two years. Gabe wore many hats before graduating as he led FanSided's coverage of Chelsea FC as a Site Expert with "The Pride of London." He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the LSU Gumbo Yearbook for two years. Gabe became a part of the SportsbookReview.com team in late 2024. He brings with him an extensive knowledge of many sports, including — but not limited to — NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA, soccer, and UFC.