March Madness Bracket 2024
The March Madness bracket lays out the full lineup of NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament teams and their paths to the Final Four and Championship game.
The rules are simple: pick your winners and predict the school you think will go all the way to the national title.
Don’t miss a moment of the excitement—get your bracket ready and dive into the madness!
More About March Madness Bracket Betting
March Madness Bracket Overview
The March Madness bracket is the key to the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament. It’s a 64-team tournament with a single-elimination format, where each game is do-or-die for the teams involved.
Your goal? Fill out the March Madness printable bracket by selecting the teams you believe will advance through each round and ultimately win the championship.
How To Use 2024 March Madness Bracket Templates
Watch this video to learn how to play March Madness Brackets.
How To Play March Madness Brackets
Filling out a bracket is a tradition across America during March Madness. Whether you’re betting for fun or competing in a March Madness bracket challenge, the basics are the same: predict the winners, pick a few upsets, and track your progress as the tournament unfolds.
Follow these steps to kick off your March Madness bracket play:
Get a Printable Bracket
Grab your printable March Madness bracket PDF to make your picks and follow along as the tournament progresses. Perfect for office pools, friendly competitions, or just tracking your own predictions.Pick Your Teams
Start filling in your bracket by choosing the teams you think will advance. Don’t forget to pick a few upsets—top seeds don’t always make it through, but don’t go crazy with long shots, either.Watch For Upsets
Upsets are part of the magic of March Madness, but they’re tough to predict. Historically, the No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchups have produced a lot of surprises. Stay sharp and be ready to back an underdog or two!Get in on the Madness!
Want to turn your picks into big winnings? There are real money March Madness bracket contests you can enter, with prize pools as big as $1,000,000.
March Madness Bracket Contests: Play and Win Real Money
If you’re ready to raise the stakes, March Madness bracket contests offer serious cash prizes and the thrill of competing against other fans. Here are some of the best contests and top-rated sportsbooks for 2024:
| Rank | NCAAB Betting Sites | Deposit Bonus | Highlights | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bovada |
Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
| 2 |
BetUS |
Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $2,500 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
| 3 |
Betonline |
Deposit Bonus 50% Up To $250 |
Highlights
|
Bet Now |
#1 BetUS – $1,000,000 March Mayhem Contest
The March Madness bracket contest at BetUS is one of the contest with the biggest money prize pool you will find this season.
The sportsbook has put together a massive contest called March Mayhem and, on top of that, gives away a 100% Up To $2,500 Welcome Bonus to new users.
More details of the contest are below, but what you need to know is that the grand prize for a 64-team perfect bracket is $1,000,000!
They will also pay $10,000 prizes for a 16-team perfect bracket and an 8-team perfect bracket.
Here’s how BetUS breaks down the prizes:
- Full grand prize perfect bracket: $1,000,000
- Best bracket (most correct picks): $5,000 free play bonus (10x rollover)
- BetUS prize pack for 2nd – 5th place: Free play $250, $100, $50, $25
#2 BetNow – $1,000,000 Bracket Madness
BetNow is right up there with another big prize pool. The entry is FREE, but you need to be an active BetNow user.
You can join BetNow today and receive a 100% Up To $1,000 Welcome Bonus with your first deposit.
To be a BetNow active user, you must have 16 or more $10 wagers in a month. That’s an easily attainable condition.
Remember, the prize bag will have $1,000,000 accumulate in winnings. Below is how BetNow plans to break them down:
- 1st Place: $350,000
- 2nd Place: $200,000
- 3rd Place: $100,000
- 4th Place: $50,000
- 5th-30th Place: $12,000
These are some of the Bracket Madness contest rules:
- One entry per household.
- Prizes are non-transferable.
- There are no rollover requirements.
- All entries must have a valid email address.
- The grand prize will be awarded to the contestant that picks all winning teams, including the tiebreaker.
- In case of a tie, the winner will be who predicted the tiebreaker game’s score.
- If over one player meets the grand prize criteria, BetNow will split the winnings amongst the qualifying winners.
#3 BetOnline – $250,000 Bracket Madness Contest
BetOnline offers all real-money depositors a piece of $250,000 for their March Madness tournament, with entries starting at $25.
The contest begins with the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Those with a BetOnline account will be able to purchase entries directly from their account balance.
The first entry will be $25, but get cheaper if you want to add more entries to the contest, with the 2nd entry coming with a cost of $20, the third entry $15, 4th to 10th entries at $10, and 11th to 20th entries at $5.
How to Play:
- You must have at least one entry to participate in the contest.
- You can view all your entries in the ‘My Brackets’ section.
- You must pick winners for all of the 63 games in the NCAA Tournament for your entry to qualify.
- Points will be awarded for each correct pick.
Point System
- 1 point for every correct selection in the 1st Round
- 2 points for every correct selection in the 2nd Round
- 4 points for every correct selection in the Sweet 16
- 8 points for every correct selection in the Elite 8
- 16 points for every correct selection in the Final Four
- 32 points for picking the winner of the Championship Game
$250,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool Breakdown
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $75,000 |
| 2nd Place | $30,000 |
| 3rd Place | $15,000 |
| 4th Place | $7,500 |
| 5th Place | $5,000 |
| 6th Place | $3,500 |
| 7th Place | $2,500 |
| 8th Place | $2,000 |
| 9th Place | $1,500 |
| 10th Place | $1,000 |
| 11th Place to 15th Place | $750 |
| 16th Place to 20th Place | $500 |
| 21st Place to 30th Place | $450 |
| 31st Place to 40th Place | $400 |
| 41st Place to 50th Place | $350 |
| 51st Place to 75th Place | $300 |
| 76th Place to 100th Place | $250 |
| 101st Place to 150th Place | $200 |
| 151st Place to 200th Place | $150 |
| 201st Place to 400th Place | $100 |
| 401st Place to 700th Place | $75 |
| 701st Place to 1,000th Place | $50 |
#4 Sportsbetting – $250,000 Bracket Madness Contest
You can buy your March Madness contest entries right now at Sportsbetting.
The entries cost $10 each, and each user can buy up to 20 brackets. Each needs to be filled before the start of the first round, or the bracket will get disqualified.
To enter the Sportsbetting.ag March Madness, you need to join and create an account. Join today and get a 50% Up To $1,000 Welcome Bonus with your first deposit.
Fill everything with accurate information. After you win and try to collect, sportsbooks may ask you for proof of ID.
Consider players can’t change the picks once submitted a bracket.
Here’s the point system for the contest:
- 1 point for every correct selection in the 1st Round.
- 2 points for every correct selection in the 2nd Round.
- 4 points for every correct selection in the Sweet 16.
- 8 points for every correct selection in the Elite 8.
- 16 points for every correct selection in the Final Four.
- 32 points for picking the winner of the Championship Game.
And this is the breakdown of the guaranteed prize pool for the top 10 places:
- 1st Place: $75,000
- 2d Place: $30,000
- 3rd Place: $15,000
- 4th Place: $7,500
- 5th Place: $5,000
- 6th Place: $3,500
- 7th Place: $2,500
- 8th Place: $2,000
- 9th Place: $1,500
- 10th Place: $1,000
Sportsbetting will pay winners with no rollover requirements. The sportsbook will also deposit 72 hours after the NCAA Men’s Championship Basketball game.
Pro Tips for Filling Out Your March Madness Bracket
Study the Odds and Trends
Betting on brackets is part strategy, part luck. Start with the basics: top seeds rarely lose in the early rounds, but upsets are bound to happen. The classic No. 12 vs. No. 5 matchup has historically produced surprises, so don’t shy away from taking a 12-seed to make it past the first round.
Pick Your Spots with Upsets
If you’re in a big pool, you’ll need some bold picks to stand out. Mix in a few strategic upsets without going overboard—especially in the 7-10 and 5-12 matchups. For later rounds, stick with higher seeds for stability. Remember, in March Madness, balance is key: get weird early, but keep it steady for the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Fading the Public
Everyone loves a favorite, but that’s where sharp bettors can outsmart the crowd. If your bracket group is heavy on a hometown favorite or a big-name team, consider betting against them if they look shaky. It’s a high-risk, high-reward play that can give you an edge if they stumble.
Go with Teams that Rebound and Defend
March is where defense and rebounding shine. Look for teams with strong defensive stats and high rebounding rates—they’re built to grind out tough games and often outperform flashier teams. Big names in the NBA may dominate there, but in college, gritty defense can carry a team far.
Consider the Pool Size
In a smaller pool, staying conservative can work; in larger ones, you’ll need to make unconventional picks to stand out. If you’re up against a crowd, take some calculated risks with lesser-picked teams that could realistically go deep.
Beware of the No. 1 Seeds in the Final Four
While No. 1 seeds are usually good bets early, it’s rare for all of them to make it to the Final Four. Mix in a strong No. 2 or No. 3 seed that’s been overlooked—teams with solid guard play and balanced scoring often go deep.
Don’t Get Cute in the Finals
For the Final Four, stick to seeds 1-3. The magic happens in the early rounds, but titles usually go to the favorites. Pick a winner that’s likely but not overly obvious—this small twist can set you apart without sacrificing reliability.
Get Your FREE Printable March Madness Bracket 2024
Use our 2024 March Madness printable bracket to make your picks and track your progress throughout the tournament. It’s easy to download and fill out, making it perfect for office pools or personal use.
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Join the Madness and Win Big!
March Madness isn’t just about watching the games—it’s about diving into the action. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or filling out a bracket for fun, March Madness bracket challenges bring an exciting competitive edge.
Get your printable March Madness bracket, study the odds, and get ready to go for the win!
Don’t miss out on the best part of March Madness—jump into a contest, whether it’s for fun or real money, and experience the tournament like never before.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most frequently asked questions about March Madness Bracket templates.
What Is The NCAA Tournament Bracket?
The March Madness bracket is a grid that shows the path teams have to follow to get to the Final Four and NCAA Championship game.
The NCAA Tournament starts with 68 teams and is a single-elimination competition that goes on for several weeks until there is just one team left standing. The First Round for March Madness usually begins between the second and third week of March.
The NCAA Tournament will decide a National Champion for the college basketball season. It comes after the conference tournaments that end the NCAA basketball regular season.
How Many Teams Are In The NCAA Basketball Bracket?
There are 68 teams in the tournament. This has been expanded steadily since the formation of the NCAA Tournament when it began as just 15 teams.
How Do You Fill Out A College Basketball Bracket?
Simply enter the teams you think will advance for each game until you reach the Final Four and National Championship game.
How Do You Print NCAA Brackets?
Just download or print a bracket you find online. We offer a bracket above that can be easily printed and used for your March Madness pools or contests.
What Are The Odds Of A Perfect March Madness Bracket?
It’s next to impossible. Some mathematicians have the odds at around 1 in 9.2 quintillions.
Fun Fact: In 2014, the billionaire investor, Warren Buffet, offered up to $1 billion for a “perfect bracket,” meaning anyone who correctly predicted the winner of every game in the tournament would get a $1 billion prize. Suffice to say, no one did.
