The competition is only going to get fiercer in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. March Madness is moving to the Sweet 16 round starting on Thursday, March 27, with teams like the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Michigan State Spartans still alive. Games will be played on CBS, TBS, and truTV, and following the Sweet 16, the regional finals — also known as the Elite 8 — begin on the same channels. You can watch all the action with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV.

How to watch 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8

• When: Sweet 16 starts Thursday, March 27 at 7:09 p.m. ET | Elite 8 starts Saturday, March 29
• TV: CBS, TBS, truTV
• Stream: Watch with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV.
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8

What is the schedule of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8?

Sweet 16 games on Thursday, March 27

Sweet 16 games on Friday, March 28

Elite 8 games

The schedule for the Elite 8 games will be announced once the teams are determined following the Sweet 16. We will update the times and channels once they have been finalized.

Why we chose Hulu + Live TV to watch 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8

We love Hulu + Live TV for watching the Men’s March Madness Sweet 16 and Elite 8 for a few reasons. To start with, you can watch every game with your subscription, as it carries CBS in a huge number of markets, and TBS and truTV everywhere.

It also comes with a three-day free trial, which will allow you to watch a large selection of games from both rounds at no cost. Once the trial ends, Hulu + Live TV plans starting at $83 per month include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at no extra cost.

Free 3-Day Trial

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Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.

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Where it really separates itself is value. Your subscription doesn’t just cover live TV — it also includes full access to Hulu’s on-demand library, plus bundled subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN Select content at no extra cost. That means you’re getting everything from next-day network TV episodes and Hulu Originals, to Marvel, Star Wars, and live sports content all in one place without juggling multiple bills.

For sports fans, Hulu + Live TV also includes regional sports networks (RSNs) in select areas, a feature many competing services have dropped. That can be a big deal if you’re trying to follow local MLB, NBA, or NHL teams.

The DVR experience is another strong point. Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage and the ability to fast-forward through commercials on recorded content — a feature that used to cost extra but is now standard. It’s designed to feel closer to a traditional cable DVR, just without the box.

If you want to customize further, several add-ons are available. You can upgrade to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz, add an unlimited streams option for households with lots of viewers, or go ad-free on Hulu’s on-demand content (live TV will still include ads).

Overall, Hulu + Live TV is less about being the cheapest option and more about being the most comprehensive. It’s built for people who want live TV, on-demand shows, and bundled streaming services all under one roof — without having to piece everything together themselves.

Free 3-Day Trial

$89.99+ / month

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Can you watch 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8 for free?

The Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds will last until Sunday, March 30, so there are a few services you can try to use to watch for free.

DIRECTV STREAM is first; this streamer offers a five-day free trial to new customers, and includes CBS, TBS, and truTV in its ENTERTAINMENT package. Once the trial ends, DIRECTV STREAM’s ENTERTAINMENT plan starts at $87 per month.

Fubo’s trial lasts between one and seven days, depending on what time of month you sign up and other factors. After the trial, Fubo plans start at $85 per month without regional sports network fees; however, Fubo does not carry TBS or truTV in any markets.

YouTube TV does carry CBS, TBS, and truTV, and comes with a trial lasting between two and 14 days, depending on numerous factors. Its base package starts at $83 per month after the trial ends.

What are all the services you can use to watch the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games

DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV are the three services you can use to watch every game from both rounds. As we’ve said, Hulu + Live TV is our favorite of these choices.

Sling TV does not carry CBS anywhere, but viewers can watch TBS and truTV in both its Orange and Blue packages for a limited time. It costs $46 per month normally, but is offering new customers 50% off their first month.

Paramount+ is carrying all live CBS games on its Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier, which comes with a seven-day free trial and costs $13 per month after the trial ends.

Max is offering all live games on TBS and truTV in its Bleacher Report Sports hub, with plans starting at $10 per month. However, on March 30, live sports will no longer be available on the ad-supported plan; the cheapest ad-free Max plan costs $17 per month.

About 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 and Elite 8

From a field of more than 60 teams from around the country, there are only 16 remaining in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The road to the Final Four in San Antonio continues with the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8 rounds, which should be celebrated as accomplishments in their own right for teams that have made it this far.

College basketball blue bloods like Duke and Kentucky are still in the dance, and when Maryland downed Colorado State in the round of 32, the last potential Cinderella story of the tournament was forced to exit. But there will still be plenty of incredible action to watch around the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds!

How to watch 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8 from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the tournament as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming like Hulu + Live TV in order to stream the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament with a VPN.

NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!

While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.

• Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available