Printable 2026 March Madness Bracket

Author Image Author: | Last Updated: January 13th, 2026

We’ve created a printable March Madness bracket for [current_year] that you can download and print for easy tracking.

Enter your predictions for each game and try to compile the perfect bracket. You’ll earn bragging rights if you can beat your friends, and you’ll have something fun to talk about every round as the bracket unfolds.

We’ve also provided tips to help you use this March Madness printable bracket. You’ll also learn more about the leading contenders for the NCAA Tournament.

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March Madness Bracket

2026 March Madness Bracket

Here is our March Madness 2026 printable bracket. Simply click on the image below to open the bracket as a PDF. 

GamblingNerd - NCAA Basketball championship Bracket

How to Use a March Madness Bracket

It’s easy to use our printable March Madness bracket for 2026. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 01
Print the Bracket

Download our free March Madness bracket and print it out. Grab a pen and get ready to fill in the bracket.

Step 02
Predict Who Will Win the First Four

Write down the names of the teams competing in the first four at the top of the bracket. You can then decide who you think will win each game.

Step 03
Fill in the First Round

Fill in the bracket with the names of each team competing in the First Round. Start by entering the overall No. 1 seed at the top left of the bracket, and keep going until the far left and far right columns are complete. You’ll need to include the four teams that you expect to win in the First Four.

Step 04
Pick a Winner for Each Pair

Go through each First Round game and decide who you think will win. Write their names in the Second Round column. By the time you’re done, you’ll have reduced the field to 32 teams.

Step 05
Repeat for Each Round

Repeat the process for each subsequent round. You’ll then have your predicted Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final 4. Decide who you think will win the Final 4 games, which will leave you with your two National Championship contenders.

Step 06
Pick Your NCAA Tournament Winner

Predict who will win the National Championship game and write down your champion in the yellow space. You’ve now completed your bracket.

Step 07
Share Your Bracket and Use Your Predictions

Share your bracket with friends and see who gets the most correct picks. You can also use your predictions to make futures bets at an online sportsbook. For example, place a bet on the team you think will win March Madness, or bet on a team to reach the Final 4.

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How the NCAA Basketball March Madness Works

How the NCAA Basketball March Madness Works

The NCAA Tournament follows a simple format:

March Madness logo centered with bracket on left and hand holding money on right
  • March Madness begins with the First Four. This round features eight teams, who battle for a place in the main bracket of 64. Four teams advance, and the other four are eliminated.
  • The 64 best college basketball teams in the country then enter the First Round. They’re divided into four regions.
  • The No. 1 seed from each region plays against the No. 16 seed. The No 2. Seed takes on the No. 15 seed, and so on.
  • It’s a single elimination tournament, so 32 teams advance to the Second Round. The remaining teams play their Second Round games, and the field is halved again for the Regional Semifinals (Sweet 16).
  • Eight teams are left standing, and they compete in the Regional Finals (Elite 8). The winning team from each region will advance to the National Semifinals (Final 4).
  • The winners of the National Semifinals then head to the National Championship game. It takes place on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Whoever wins that game is crowned the national champion.
Key Matchups and Predictions

Key Matchups and Predictions

These are the key contenders to win the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2026:

michigan wolverines logo

1. Michigan Wolverines

The sportsbooks have installed Michigan as the clear favorite to win March Madness. The Wolverines were narrowly behind Arizona in the AP poll at the start of 2026, but they’re surging with momentum.

Michigan has blazed a trail of destruction across the Big Ten this season. The Wolverines remain unbeaten, led by an elite offense and a suffocating defense. Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Elliot Cadeau are going from strength to strength, making Michigan the team to beat at the NCAA Tournament.

Arizona Wildcats logo

2. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona finished a single point clear of fast-closing Michigan in the AP Top 25 poll at the start of 2026. The Wildcats are the second-favorites in the March Madness betting odds following an unbeaten start.

They’ve secured impressive wins over several ranked opponents in the Big 12. Senior guard Brayden Burries is a reliable source of points and assists, and the team will be full of confidence as March Madness approaches.

uconn huskies logo

3. UConn Huskies

UConn’s bid to win a third consecutive national title ended with a defeat to eventual champion Florida last year. Coach Dan Hurley added transfer guards Silas Demary Jr. and Malachi Smith to bolster the defense, and the results have been impressive.

They began with a 14-1 record, and they’re building momentum at the right time. UConn boasts a great deal of experience and physicality, so the Huskies could be dangerous.

Duke blue devils logo

4. Duke Blue Devils

Duke moved up to No. 3 in the AP poll at the start of 2026 after claiming six first-place votes. The Blue Devils started the season with a 13-1 record, leaving them No. 1 in the ACC, and their only defeat was a 1-point loss to Texas Tech.

Freshman star Cameron Boozer has emerged as Duke’s leader this season, but the supporting cast looks strong. His brother, Cayden, is becoming more consistent and sophomore wing Isaiah Evans has delivered some clutch plays. They’ve shown resilience and depth, which could be vital at March Madness.

Betting on the March Madness

Betting on the March Madness

The best sportsbooks offer a wide range of March Madness betting options. You can bet on the tournament winner, or you can wager on a team to make the Final Four.

They offer loads of betting options on each game during March Madness too. The most popular markets include point spreads, totals, moneylines, props, and same-game parlays. You can also place live bets on each game.

Finally, the best sportsbooks also run bracket challenges. Some are free-to-play and others require an entry fee. Just submit your March Madness bracket, and you could win a huge prize if you outperform fellow entrants.

Summary

If you’re ready to start compiling your perfect NCAAB bracket, download our March Madness bracket PDF now!

Remember to brush up on stats and insights on the leading contenders, and don’t underestimate potential underdogs.

To keep ahead of your friends, make sure you check out our blog. We’ll have March Madness bracket predictions – top chalk picks, potential bracket-busters, and much more.

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About the Author

Taylor Smith is a skilled iGaming writer and content editor. He started writing for GamblingNerd.com in 2017 and became a content specialist in 2022. He majored in radio and film in college. After a transition to writing about online gambling, he now has over ten years of experience in the field. Yes, he’s heard your Taylor Swift jokes.