March Madness 2019 schedule at a glance
March Madness 2019 started on March 19 with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, and the initial round of 64 games on March 20. The men’s and women’s NCAA Division I tournaments both followed the same opening weekend framework, with the First Four featuring four play-in games before the round of 64. These early matchups set the bracket timeline for the entire postseason, determining which teams advance to the Round of 32 and beyond.
Understanding the precise start date and session-by-session schedule helps fans plan viewing, bracket challenges, and office pools. The following sections break down the First Four, opening round time windows, region by region progression, and the broader tournament calendar that followed the initial games.
What is the First Four and when did it occur in 2019?
The First Four is a set of four play-in games between the last at-large bids and the last automatic qualifiers. For March Madness 2019, these games took place on March 19, 2019, at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The games featured one automatic qualifier and four at-large teams competing for the final spots in the 68-team bracket.
- Winner advances to face a top seed in the Round of 64.
- Losers exit NCAA tournament competition.
- Held the day before the official Round of 64 tipoffs.
Opening round: March 20, 2019
The Round of 64, commonly called the First Round, began on March 20, 2019, with early and late session windows. Sites were split across multiple cities, with each venue hosting either a men’s or women’s game in each time window. Typical sessions included early (afternoon) and late (evening) games to accommodate national broadcasts and regional audiences.
Notable site and seed matchups on March 20
| Site | Session | Matchup (Seed notation) | Result status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | First Four | VCU (11) vs Murray State (11) | First Four winner advances |
| Brooklyn | First Round | MSU (2) vs Iona (15) | MSU won |
| Houston | First Round | Gonzaga (3) vs Texas (14) | Gonzaga won |
| Spokane | First Round | Wofford (7) vs Seton Hall (2) | Wofford won |
Region-by-region progression from March 22 onward
After the opening weekend, each region advanced on its own schedule during the Round of 32 and Round of 16, commonly known as the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. These regional games occurred across multiple cities and were staggered across Thursday through Sunday to manage logistics and broadcast windows.
- East Region: continued March 22–24.
- West Region: continued March 22–24.
- South Region: continued March 23–25.
- Midwest Region: continued March 23–25.
Key dates after the start
Following the initial pair of days, March Madness 2019 unfolded through a predictable yet highly competitive timeline. The Sweet 16 took place March 28–29, and the Elite Eight on March 30–31. The Final Four occurred on April 6, with the national championship games closing the event on April 8 (men’s) and April 7 (women’s).
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| First Four | March 19 | Play-in games to determine final four teams |
| First Round (Round of 64) | March 20–21 | Initial elimination round, 64 teams to 32 |
| Second Round (Round of 32) | March 22–23 | Regional games reduce bracket to 16 |
| Sweet 16 | March 28–29 | Last 16 teams compete, regional semifinals |
| Elite Eight | March 30–31 | Regional finals, final 8 teams |
| Final Four | April 6 | Semifinals determine championship matchup |
| National Championship | April 7 (women) April 8 (men) | Crowns national tournament champions |
Understanding session windows and time zones
March Madness 2019 spanned four U.S. time zones, with games scheduled in early, afternoon, and late sessions to align with broadcast partners. Networks used staggered starts for region coverage, ensuring at least one game was available during each window in each region. These scheduling practices remain consistent year to year, making it easier to anticipate timing in future tournaments.
Why start dates matter for brackets and planning
Knowing when March Madness 2019 started—and how the schedule unfolded—helps with historical analysis, bracket study, and planning for future tournaments. The early timing of the First Four and opening round created a compressed timeline that intensified the pace through the Sweet 16. This structure influences narrative arcs, upsets, and the overall momentum of the event.
Evergreen takeaways
- The First Four on March 19 kicked off the 2019 tournament.
- The Round of 64 started March 20 across multiple regional sites.
- Regional progression followed a consistent sequence through the Elite Eight.
- The Final Four and championship wrapped the event in early to mid April.
- Session scheduling and regional staggering remain reliable patterns for future brackets.
Quick comparison: 2019 tournament start vs typical season structure
| Tournament phase | 2019 date | Typical timing trend |
|---|---|---|
| First Four | March 19 | Usually mid-March |
| Round of 64 | March 20–21 | Opening weekend of NCAA tournament |
| Sweet 16 | March 28–29 | Weekend before Easter in most years |
| Final Four | April 6 | Early to mid April |
| Championship | April 7–8 | First week of April |
Frequently asked questions
- When did the official bracket release occur in 2019? The bracket was released on March 17, two days before the First Four, which is standard for selection show timing.
- Were the start dates the same for men’s and women’s tournaments in 2019? Yes, both began their competition windows on March 19–20, though some women’s games were scheduled slightly differently to align with broadcast plans.
- How can I use this information for future brackets? Use these historical dates to map out typical tournament windows, accounting for selection Sunday, the First Four, and the standard session cadence.
How to track start dates for future tournaments
Since the NCAA tournament schedule follows predictable patterns, you can anticipate start windows using historical baselines. Watch for the selection Sunday announcement, confirm the First Four on March 19, and expect the Round of 64 to open the following weekend. Regional progression then proceeds in four-game windows across major networks, culminating in the national championship during the first week of April.
Closing note on March Madness 2019 timeline
March Madness 2019 started with the First Four on March 19 and the Round of 64 on March 20, establishing the tournament rhythm that carried through one of the most competitive brackets in recent memory. These dates remain a reliable reference for analyzing past performance and planning engagement in future editions.