NCAA Moves March Madness Championship Tip-Off to 8:50 PM ET

The 30-minute shift aims to address fan complaints about late-night finishes and declining viewership.

The NCAA announced the 2025 men's basketball national championship game will tip off at 8:50 PM ET, 30 minutes earlier than the traditional 9:20 PM start time.
This change comes in response to years of fan complaints about late Monday night finishes, particularly for viewers in the Eastern Time Zone.
The decision follows declining viewership trends, with the past two championship games drawing the lowest ratings in the event's history.
Some fans welcomed the earlier time, but others argued it remains too late for a weeknight event, with suggestions for a Sunday or afternoon start instead.
The 2025 championship game is scheduled for April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, with pregame coverage starting at 8 PM ET on CBS and Paramount+.