2026 March Madness Watch Party - How To Make It Big

If you already have a golf simulator, you have the potential to host an epic March Madness party. Transform that big screen before the tournament starts.

March Madness is one of those events that would be incredible to experience in person. Packed arenas, buzzer beaters, and full bracket chaos make it one of the best atmospheres in sports each March.

But not everyone can make the trip. Watching from home can be just as fun, especially when you control the setup. If you’ve got the space and a big screen, this is your moment to use it.

Check out some of our ideas on the best way to host a March Madness party below.

MARCH MADNESS SCHEDULE

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament will follow the traditional format fans know well.

Selection Sunday will take place on March 15, 2026. That’s when the full 68 team bracket is revealed and debates about seeds officially begin.

The First Four games will be played March 17 to 18 in Dayton, Ohio.

The First and Second Rounds will take place March 19 to 22 at the following sites:

• Buffalo, New York
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Orlando, Florida
• Portland, Oregon
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• San Diego, California
• St. Louis, Missouri

The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight will be held March 26 to 29 in:

• Houston, Texas
• Los Angeles, California
• New York, New York
• Phoenix, Arizona

The Final Four and National Championship will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national semifinals are set for April 4, 2026, with the championship game on April 6, 2026.

For the latest information on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament schedule, visit NCAA.com.

HOW TO WATCH MARCH MADNESS

The broadcast setup remains consistent. Games air across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. The Final Four and National Championship are broadcast on CBS.

You can access these channels through most cable and satellite providers, as well as major live streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling TV. Always confirm your provider includes truTV, as that’s the one people forget.

If you are watching on a small TV, consider upgrading your experience with a home theater setup from Carl’s Place. Big tournament moments deserve a big screen.

And yes, your golf simulator can double as a home theater.

CARL’S TIP: During the first and second rounds, multiple games run at the same time. A large projector screen makes multi-view setups much easier. Many streaming services offer built-in multiview options, and on a big impact screen, it actually feels usable instead of cramped.

Carl’s Place FlexiGray Projector Screen in Home Theater

WATCH AND PLAY GOLF

If you already have a golf simulator, you have everything you need to host a legendary March Madness party. If you do not, consider this your long term excuse to build one.

On the East Coast or in the Central time zone? You can usually squeeze in a morning round before the early games tip off. In Mountain or Pacific time zones, games start earlier, so late night rounds may be the better move.

You can even play golf and watch games on your impact screen at the same time, depending on your setup and source input options.

A golf simulator with a high quality impact screen and enclosure creates a clean, theater-like experience. Pair it with one of our recommended projectors and you have a dual purpose setup that works year round.

MARCH MADNESS GAMES

Filling out a bracket is still the classic move. Upsets happen every year, and the single elimination format guarantees chaos.

Sports betting is now legal in many states, but laws vary. Make sure you understand your local regulations before participating in any wagering activity.

CARL’S TIP: Keep it legal and safe. We encourage fun, but we are not responsible for how much fun you have.

If brackets are not your thing, consider a March Madness squares pool. Squares keep every game relevant and shift the focus to final scores rather than specific teams.

And if basketball is second only to golf in your house, lean into it with bracket names like Final Fore, Par for the Court, or Sweet Eighteen.