March Madness® Tips Off in Raleigh, N.C.

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament's First and Second Rounds will take place at Raleigh's Lenovo Center. North Carolina State University (NC State) will host the event on March 21 and 23, 2025, with eight teams battling for two spots in the Sweet 16. Game times and teams will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 16. All six games are expected to attract an estimated 57,000 spectators to Raleigh over the weekend.

Raleigh's deep-rooted basketball legacy, its location in the heart of the famed “Tobacco Road” and its passionate fanbase make North Carolina’s capital city the perfect destination for March Madness. Among many other sports, Raleigh has long been a hub for hoops, with NC State’s historic basketball program playing a fundamental role. The Wolfpack's impressive 1983 NCAA championship victory, led by legendary head coach Jim Valvano, remains one of the most celebrated moments in college basketball history.

This year's event will mark the fifth time since 2004 that Lenovo Center has been an opening weekend host for the men's tournament (2004, 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2025). Lenovo Center will also be an Eastern regional host for the first time in 2028, meaning third and fourth round games will be played in Raleigh. Later this year, Lenovo Center will prepare for its upcoming multi-million-dollar renovation as part of the new Raleigh Sports and Entertainment District surrounding the arena. Enhancements will begin this summer and continue through 2027, aiming to keep the arena open as much as possible during the process. The development plans to add over 200,000 square feet of entertainment space, additional office spaces, apartments and a 150-room hotel.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the NCAA DI Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds in Raleigh for the fifth time since 2004," said Scott Dupree, Executive Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) and Chair of Raleigh’s Local Organizing Committee. "This event attracts thousands of fans to our city to witness one of the most exciting sporting events in the country. This is the second biggest sports spectacle in America, behind only the Super Bowl. It is important to note that none of this would be possible without our host institution, NC State University, and so many wonderful partners who make it happen. This tournament energizes our local sports scene and passionate basketball fanbase. It also has a tremendous economic impact on hotels, restaurants and local businesses throughout our region."

Save these dates and secure tickets to witness this exciting event live in Raleigh. Watch all six nationally televised games on CBS, TBS, TNT or TruTV.