Selection Sunday is in the books, the bracket is live, and you have roughly 72 hours before tip-off. Last-minute March Madness travel is absolutely still possible if you move fast, stay flexible, and know where to look.
Every March, millions of fans stare at the bracket and feel the same pull — the urge to be there in person when the upsets happen. The good news is that first- and second-round games are spread across eight host cities this year, which means options. The even better news is that you do not need months of planning to pull this off.
Understanding the 2026 Tournament Schedule
First Four in Dayton
The tournament tips off with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio on March 17 and 18. Dayton is one of the most underrated tournament experiences in the country. UD Arena is intimate, the crowd energy is electric, and because these games get less national attention, tickets tend to be more accessible than any other round.
If your team landed in the First Four, Dayton is a short drive or quick flight from most of the eastern half of the country. Hotels downtown and near the University of Dayton still have availability if you book within the next day or two.
The city itself embraces the tournament — local restaurants run specials, sports bars extend hours, and the whole atmosphere around the arena feels like a community event rather than a corporate production. Do not overlook Dayton just because it is the play-in round.
First and Second Rounds: Eight Cities, Endless Possibilities
The first and second rounds run March 19 through 22 across Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. That geographic spread is your biggest advantage when planning last-minute March Madness travel. Not every city will see the same demand spike.
Markets like San Diego and Portland, which are further from traditional basketball hotbeds, often have better hotel availability and more reasonable prices than East Coast venues. Philadelphia and Buffalo, on the other hand, sit in dense population corridors where demand moves fast.
Identify which pod your team landed in, then start working the logistics immediately. If your team did not make the tournament but you still want to go, pick the pod with the best matchups or the city you have always wanted to visit.
Tournament basketball is tournament basketball — every game matters, every team is fighting for survival, and the intensity in the building does not depend on whether your personal rooting interest is involved.
How to Book Tickets, Hotels, and Flights Right Now
Tickets: Session Passes Are Your Friend
Individual game tickets for the NCAA Tournament can be tough to track down on the secondary market, especially for marquee matchups. Instead, look for session passes, which get you into both games of a session.
You will see two games for one ticket price, and the atmosphere during the “other” game — the one you did not specifically come for — is often where the real Madness happens. If your budget allows, working with a travel package provider like Major League Vacations can simplify the entire process because tickets, hotel, and logistics come bundled together.
That saves you from juggling five browser tabs at midnight trying to piece everything together on your own.
Flights and Hotels: Flexibility Wins
Airfare to tournament cities spikes the moment the bracket drops, but prices vary wildly depending on your departure city and how flexible you can be with timing. Flying in a day early or choosing a nearby airport can cut costs significantly — for example, flying into Providence instead of Boston, or San Jose instead of San Francisco for the San Diego pod.
Hotels near the arena will fill up fast, but properties 15 to 20 minutes away by rideshare often have rooms at reasonable rates. Extended-stay hotels and vacation rentals are worth checking too. The key is to book something refundable now, then optimize later. Waiting for the perfect deal is how you end up watching from your couch.
If you are traveling with a group, splitting a vacation rental can bring per-person costs down significantly compared to booking multiple hotel rooms, and many rental properties in tournament cities offer better locations than budget hotels. The bottom line is that speed matters more than perfection right now.
Lock in your travel bones and optimize the details later in the week.
Making the Most of Your Tournament Trip
The Bracket Favorites and Storylines to Watch
Duke enters the tournament as the betting favorite at +325, led by Cameron Boozer, the Wooden Award front-runner who has been dominant all season. But March Madness is not about favorites — it is about the moments nobody saw coming. Being in the building when a 12-seed knocks off a 5-seed is an experience that no television broadcast can replicate.
The collective gasp of the crowd, the strangers high-fiving you, the sheer volume of noise in a building full of people who all just witnessed something unscripted — that is what makes the trip worth every dollar. Follow the storylines, watch the mid-major Cinderellas, and pay attention to the lower-seeded teams with nothing to lose.
Those are the games that produce the moments everyone talks about for years.
Explore the Host City
One of the best parts of tournament travel is discovering a city you might not have visited otherwise. Greenville has an incredible downtown food scene anchored by Main Street. Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district is packed with restaurants and live music. Portland offers world-class coffee, food carts, and easy access to the Oregon coast.
Tampa gives you the option to combine basketball with beaches. Treat the trip as a mini-vacation, not just a game. You will remember the whole experience more vividly when the city itself becomes part of the story. For a deeper look at planning a full tournament trip, check out our March Madness travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it too late to book last-minute March Madness travel for the first round?
Not at all. First-round games are spread across eight cities, and availability varies by market. Cities like Portland, San Diego, and Greenville tend to have more options than East Coast venues. Book refundable hotels now and refine your plans as the week progresses.
Q: How much does a last-minute March Madness trip typically cost?
Costs depend on the city, timing, and how you book. A first-round trip can range from $800 to $2,500 per person including tickets, hotel, and flights. Bundled travel packages often provide better value than piecing everything together individually because they lock in group rates on hotels and guaranteed ticket access.
Q: Should I buy tickets for a specific game or a full session?
Session passes are usually the better value and the better experience. You get two games for one price, and the energy in the arena during back-to-back matchups is something every college basketball fan should experience at least once.
Q: What if my team gets eliminated before I travel?
This is why refundable bookings matter. But honestly, many fans still go even after their team is out. The tournament atmosphere is the draw. You will find yourself cheering for underdogs and soaking in the environment regardless of who is playing.
The bracket is set, and the clock is ticking. If you have been thinking about making the trip, now is the time to stop thinking and start booking. Major League Vacations can build a custom travel package around your schedule, your budget, and whichever pod has the matchups you want to see.
Whether you are chasing your alma mater or just chasing the Madness itself, the best seat in the house is the one you actually sit in. Check out MLV’s special events page for current tournament availability and let the madness begin.