New and returning subscribers can watch all March Madness games on CBS through Paramount+ for just $2.99 per month for two months, with the limited-time offer ending March 31.

The madness is finally about to begin! Here's how to watch all the fun live.

How to Watch March Madness 2026 for Free

If you don’t already have a pay TV package that includes CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV, the cheapest way to watch March Madness is with standalone streaming services and possibly an over-the-air antenna.

What you need to know and how to watch Thursday's first-round action in the 2026 NCAA Tournament

CBS News 24/7 journalists have been protesting outside the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and at KPIX-TV, CBS News Bay Area, in San Francisco, CA, since 6 a.m. ET, with reports that the streaming network did not begin live programming until 11 a.m. ET.

South Florida Bulls (25-8, 17-3 AAC) vs. Louisville Cardinals (23-10, 12-8 ACC) Buffalo, New York; Thursday, 1:30 p.m. EDT. BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cardinals -4.5; over/under is 1