The Final Four is the fifth round of the NCAA basketball tournament when just four teams remain. It is the penultimate round of the tournament, with the winners of each regional playing one another for a chance to play in the championship game – the final.

March Madness offers futures odds from early on in the season, with those to make it to the Final Four being a popular betting market. March Madness Final Four odds are particularly popular because they offer bettors the opportunity to steer away from the Championship odds, but still, wager on the latter stages of the tournament.

The vast majority of major online sportsbooks offer March Madness Final 4 odds early on in the season – in some cases before the season has even begun. The 2026 NCAA Men’s Final Four will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6.

How does the NCAA Tournament work?

March Madness is a single-elimination tournament, featuring 68 teams and is the conclusion of the NCAA basketball Division 1 men’s league. The Final Four represents the stage right before the final, where a single team will be crowned NCAAB champions for that year.

March Madness’s final odds are always very popular and coupled with the other stages of the tournament, like the Final Four and Sweet 16, make for the most prolific multi-day sporting event in the calendar.

A month-long madness offers many great sports betting opportunities. We’ll take a look at who’s most likely to make it all the way to be there in the final stages of the tournament each year. We will base our NCAAB picks on the odds to win the tournament.

march madness finals

Who will win March Madness in 2026?

As of early August 2025, Houston and Duke are the two clear favorites to make it to the Final Four in 2026. The table below will be periodically updated to reflect the most recent odds, so save this page as a reference and keep an eye out for shifting lines!

2025/26 NCAAB ChampionshipBetUS Sportsbook ReviewBetOnline Sportsbook ReviewBovada Sportsbook Review
Houston+900+910+900
Duke+1000+1050+1000
Connecticut+1400+1400+1400
Louisville+1700+1800+1700
Auburn+1800+1800+1800
Purdue+1900+1900+2000
Brigham Young+2000+2000+2000
Kentucky+2000+2000+2000
Arkansas+2000+2000+2000
Kansas+2000+2000+2000
Alabama+2000+2000+2000
Texas Tech+2000+2000+2000
Michigan+2500+2500+2500
St. John's+2500+2500+2500
Tennessee+2500+2500+2500
Michigan State+3000+3000+3000
Gonzaga+3000+3000+3000
Iowa State+3000+3000+3000
Arizona+4000+4000+4000
Baylor+4000+4000+4000
UCLA+4000+4000+4000
North Carolina+4000+4000+4000
Last updated on: August 11, 2025

The Favorites

As of August 2025, early futures markets for the 2026 NCAA Final Four have Houston and Duke emerging as clear favorites. Both programs are coming off strong 2024–25 campaigns and boast elite-level recruiting classes. Houston, led by standout guard Kordelius Jefferson, continues to dominate defensively under coach Kelvin Sampson, while Duke enters the season with a deep, experienced roster capable of grinding out tournament wins.

Purdue also ranks among the top-tier contenders, with analysts pointing to their frontcourt depth and strong Big Ten schedule as key advantages heading into next March. After several recent tournament exits that fell short of expectations, the Boilermakers are aiming to translate regular-season dominance into a breakthrough Final Four run. Purdue have recovered remarkably well from Zach Edey’s departure last summer, with many backing them to finish the season strongly.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Final Four, which will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the tournament promises another thrilling mix of powerhouse showdowns and underdog stories. While teams like Kansas, Arizona, and Kentucky remain in the conversation, identifying value early in the futures markets—before conference play shifts expectations—can offer strong upside for sharp bettors.

Final Four Betting For March Madness

When it comes to Final Four betting during March Madness, enthusiasts from all over find our selected online sportsbooks to be the ideal platforms. Whether you’re a fervent supporter of college basketball giants like Duke, Gonzaga, or Iowa, these platforms provide an extensive range of betting options throughout the thrilling NCAA Men’s basketball tournament.

From the early rounds in Dayton, OH to the pinnacle of the championship, fans can explore diverse betting markets, including those for Purdue, UConn, Washington, and beyond, ensuring an immersive experience from the initial regular season to the grand culmination of March Madness.

Our chosen Final Four betting platforms stand out by offering enticing moneyline odds, exclusive promotions, and a plethora of parlay options, catering to fans of prominent teams. Whether you’re supporting Marquette in New York or cheering for UCLA in San Diego State, these online sportsbooks promise an engaging betting experience for both NCAA and NBA followers.

As the road to the 2026 Final Four begins, top programs like Michigan State and Purdue will look to assert their dominance, while potential underdogs such as Saint Mary’s and San Diego State aim to replicate past tournament magic. With every region packed with storylines, fans of teams like Ohio State, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and beyond can expect a thrilling and unpredictable March. These betting platforms offer full coverage of this NCAA Men’s basketball tournament, ensuring fans stay engaged from the first tip-off to the championship game.

March Madness 2026 Teams

The 68 teams selected to compete in the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament will be publicly announced on Selection Sunday. This is due to take place in mid-March 2026. Once the selection committee finalizes the full list of automatic qualifiers and at-large bids, the tournament brackets will be revealed. We will publish the complete list of 2026 March Madness teams across our site as soon as they are officially released. Remember to revisit this page on Selection Sunday next year to see which teams will be competing for the 2026 National Championship title.

 

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