Jimmy Boyd in 
The NCAA Tournament is considered by many to be the greatest sporting event of the year. While some would argue the Super Bowl is at the top of the list, it’s just one game. And the ticket prices reflect that scarcity.
March Madness spans 67 games over three weeks. If you haven’t had a chance to attend a tournament game, I recommend adding it to your bucket list. Watching the action unfold on TV is great, but it fails in comparison to seeing it play out live.
A lot of people think attending a session will cost an arm and a leg, but that’s not always the case. If you are thinking about going to a game this year or just want to see how much it would cost, I’ve looked up the current general price ranges for each round in 2026.
Ticket Prices for Each Round of the NCAA Tournament During March Madness
Keep in mind that ticket prices will fluctuate based on the teams that get seeded into each location. The closer the teams playing are to the host city, the more you can expect to pay.
It’s also a good idea to do some research on your own and compare prices at different ticket brokers. You can also gamble and try to find a deal on the secondary market the day of the game.
First Four
People are still adjusting to the First Four and its importance. Many bracket contests don’t even require that you pick these games, but they are a great way to experience the tournament atmosphere on a budget.
The First Four takes place in Dayton on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can purchase tickets for all four games (all sessions) or by individual sessions.
| Location | Ticket Type | Min Price | Max Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | All Sessions | $150 | $650 |
| Dayton | Session 1 (Tue) | $65 | $250 |
| Dayton | Session 2 (Wed) | $65 | $250 |
First & Second Rounds
Each year there are eight different locations that host the first two rounds of the Big Dance. In 2026, these include cities like Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, and Portland.
There are six games held at each location: four in the first round and two in the second round.
The first-round games are split into two-game packs (Session 1 and Session 2). Those who want to see the two “Round of 32” games on Saturday or Sunday need to purchase Session 3.
If your team isn’t a high seed, history says they likely won’t make the following weekend. This might be your only chance to see them in March Madness.
| Ticket Type | Min Price | Max Price |
|---|---|---|
| All Sessions (1, 2 & 3) | $350 | $750 |
| Single Session | $90 | $250 |
Regionals (Sweet 16 & Elite 8)
As you would expect, the deeper we get into the tournament, the more expensive the tickets are going to be.
I love the opening round action and all the upsets that come with it, but brackets are made in week two. For 2026, the regionals will be held in Houston, San Jose, Washington D.C., and Chicago.
Session 1 includes both Sweet 16 games, while Session 2 is for the Elite 8. If you want to go to all three games in that city, you’ll want the all-sessions pass.
| Ticket Type | Min Price | Max Price |
|---|---|---|
| All Sessions | $520 | $1,800 |
| Sweet 16 Only | $230 | $900 |
| Elite 8 Only | $210 | $1,100 |
Final Four & Championship Game
If you have the cash to spare and want to go all out, it doesn’t get any better than the Final Four and Championship Game. To be there in person and cash in a ticket on the odds to win March Madness would be the ultimate dream.
This year’s Final Four will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
If you are even considering going, I recommend buying your tickets early. If your team doesn’t make it, you should have no problem reselling your seats in a basketball-crazy city like Indy.
| Ticket Type | Min Price | Max Price |
|---|---|---|
| All Sessions | $515 | $3,700 |
| Semifinals Only | $330 | $2,200 |
| Championship Only | $225 | $1,800 |
