How to Watch the NCAA Men’s Final Four Games Live for Free to See Who Advances to the Championship

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The end of March Madness is almost here. If you’ve been following your favorite men’s college basketball teams since mid-March, you’re probably getting ready to watch the Final Four later today. This is only the second time in NCAA history that the Final Four will consist solely of No. 1 seeds. But do all these top-ranked teams have an equal chance of making it to the National Championship game?

The lineup has rightfully sent fans into a tizzy, with predictions for Florida vs. Auburn leaning toward a close game. Duke vs. Houston is set to be just as compelling, with many favoring Duke’s impressive offense for a leg up, while others highlight Houston’s unique approach as a key factor. As of right now, many speculate Duke is poised to go all the way.

Whether you’ve placed your bets or just want to soak in the high-energy action of March Madness, you’ll want to make sure you have the right streaming access to catch both Final Four games. Keep scrolling to find out how to watch the Final Four and see who advances to the championship game.

When is March Madness’ Final Four?

The Final Four of March Madness is happening today, Saturday, April 5 and will be airing live on CBS. The first game, featuring Florida vs. Auburn, will air at 6:09 p.m., followed by the second game between Houston and Duke at 8:49 p.m.

See a complete breakdown of the March Madness schedule below.

• First Four: March 18-19
• First round: March 20-21
• Second round: March 22-23
• Sweet 16: March 27-28
• Elite Eight: March 29-30
• Final Four: Saturday, April 5
• NCAA championship game: Monday, April 7

Who’s in the Final Four?

This is the first time since 2008 that the Final Four will consist entirely of No. 1 seeds. The teams who have advanced into the Final Four are as follows:

• No. 1 Florida (West)
• No. 1 Duke (East)
• No. 1 Houston (Midwest)
• No. 1 Auburn (South)

Florida will face off against Auburn, while Duke will go head-to-head with Houston.

How to watch Final Four live for free

March Madness 2025 airs on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. The Final Four and the National Championship will air exclusively on CBS. CBS is available to stream on services like Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Paramount Plus, and Hulu+ With Live TV. TBS and TNT are available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Hulu+ With Live TV. TruTV is available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Hulu+ With Live TV, Sling TV, and Max.

Fubo offers a seven-day free trial, and starts at $79.99 per month after the trial ends. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, and starts at $86.99 per month after the trial ends (with $10 off your first three months). Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and starts at $7.99 per month. While Sling TV and Hulu+ With Live TV don’t have free trials, they’re cheaper per month than some of the other options, with Sling TV starting at $23 for your first month and Hulu+ With Live TV starting at $81.99 per month with plans that include free subscriptions to both Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.

• Best Overall Pick to Watch Final Four 2025: Fubo
• Best Free Trial Pick to Watch Final Four 2025: DirecTV Stream
• Best Budget Pick to Watch Final Four 2025: Paramount Plus
• Best Upgrade Pick to Watch Final Four 2025: Hulu+ With Live TV

Best Overall Pick to Watch Final Four 2025: Fubo

Fubo is our best overall pick to watch the Final Four live for free for games airing on CBS. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers three plans: Pro, which costs $79.99 per month, Elite, which costs $89.99 per month, and Latino, which costs $32.99 per month. CBS is included in the Pro and Elite plans.

As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Ultimate includes everything in Pro and Elite, as well as a total of 299 channels, Showtime, and Red Zone NFL Network. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch March Madness with Fubo’s free trial. 

1. Visit Fubo.TV
2. Click “Start Free Trial”
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS and start watching March Madness!

Best Free Trial Pick to Watch Final Four: DirecTV Stream

Direct TV is our best free trial pick to watch the Final Four live for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. Direct TV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $86.99 per month; Choice, which costs $114.99 per month; Ultimate, which costs $129.99 per month; and Premiere, which costs $169.99 per month. CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV are available on all four plans.

As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch March Madness with DirecTV Stream’s free trial. 

1. Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
2. Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS, TBS, TNT, or truTV and start watching March Madness!

Best Budget Pick to Watch Final Four Live: Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is our best budget pick to watch the Final Four live for free for games airing on CBS. Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and two plans: Paramount Plus Essential, which costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year, and Paramount Plus With Showtime, which costs $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year. To watch March Madness live, fans will need Paramount Plus With Showtime.

As for the differences between the plans, Paramount Plus Essential includes limited ads; tens of thousands of TV shows and movies including CBS and Paramount Plus originals; NFL games on CBS; UEFA Champions League matches; and 24/7 live access to CBS News. Paramount Plus With Showtime includes everything in essential, as well as no ads; Showtime original shows and movies; 24/7 live access to your local CBS network; college football; and the ability to download and watch shows on your mobile device. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch March Madness with Paramount Plus’ free trial. 

1. Visit ParamountPlus.com
2. Click “Get It Now”
3. Select your plan
4. Enter your information and payment method
5. Start watching March Madness

Best Upgrade Pick to Watch Final Four: Hulu+ Live TV

Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch the Final Four based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $81.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $82.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $87.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $95.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV are included in all four plans. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch March Madness with Hulu+ Live TV.

1. Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
2. Click “Sign Up Now”
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS, TBS, TNT, or truTV and start watching March Madness!