Charlotte’s key to March Madness 2026

From chicken wings to bracket tips, we’ve got everything Charlotteans need for a winning season this March Madness.

The Queen's Unviersity men's basketball team celebrating a win and bid to the NCAA Tournament.

This year will mark Queen’s University’s debut in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Photo by Todd Drexler via Queen’s University

Spring is in the air, and so are the basketballs. Off the heels of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Uptown, the Queen City is now ready to celebrate March Madness. Here’s everything you need to celebrate NCAA tournament season.

What about local teams?

Queens University of Charlotte’s men’s basketball team is heading to its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament after defeating Central Arkansas in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The team is a 15 seed and will face Purdue in the first round on Friday, March 20 at 7:35 p.m.

Bites and brews

Charlotte’s vibrant food and drink scene makes it the perfect place to fuel up during March Madness. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team at a local sports bar or hosting a watch party at home, the city’s craft breweries + Southern-inspired eateries will keep your team’s taste buds happy.

Whether you’re carrying out or ordering in, nothing says party like pizza.

Want to watch with other fans? Check out our guide to sports bars for a spot near you.

Where + when to watch

From Selection Sunday to the championship game, March Madness coverage will be streamable and also appear across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Check out the full schedule, complete with game venues and start times.

Want to watch in person? Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC (hey, GVLtoday) will be hosting the first and second rounds on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20.

Basic bracketology

Watch parties are incomplete without a bracket, so be sure to print and fill one out to enjoy the “madness.”

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