The national semifinal matchups of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament followed a traditional prime-time broadcast schedule designed to maximize national television audiences on the first Saturday in April. The games kicked off in the early evening hours, with the first national semifinal starting at approximately 6:09 PM Eastern Time, followed immediately by the second semifinal matchup tipped off roughly 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Broadcast live across national television networks, these high-stakes games drew millions of viewers as the remaining powerhouse programs battled under the bright lights for a coveted spot in the national championship game.