March Madness: Disney+ to Stream NCAA Basketball Tournaments in Europe & South Africa
Disney+ has expanded its foray into live sports broadcasting, securing the rights to stream every game of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments – collectively known as March Madness – across Europe and South Africa.
The deal, an extension of ESPN’s global NCAA rights agreement, will provide Disney+ subscribers with live access to all 134 tournament games between and . This marks a significant step in Disney’s strategy to bolster its sports offerings on the streaming platform and tap into the growing international interest in collegiate athletics.
March Madness is renowned for its single-elimination format, creating a high-stakes environment where 68 teams compete for national championships in both men’s and women’s basketball. The tournament’s unpredictable nature and dramatic upsets have captivated audiences for decades, and Disney+ aims to bring that excitement to a wider European and African viewership.
The announcement comes as ESPN continues to leverage its extensive portfolio of NCAA rights – encompassing over 40 championship events – to broaden the reach of college sports globally. The company’s decades of experience broadcasting championship moments, particularly in women’s March Madness, is expected to enhance the viewing experience on Disney+.
“Bringing March Madness to Disney+ customers across Europe reflects the ongoing collaboration between ESPN and the NCAA, and the commitment both organisations share to grow college basketball internationally,” said Diego Londono, Senior Vice President of Networks & Sports EMEA at The Walt Disney Company. “ESPN’s decades of experience showcasing championship moments allows us to foster greater appreciation for collegiate athletics, and we’re thrilled to help connect more fans to the passion and tradition of the men’s and women’s tournaments on Disney+.”
The NCAA also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, recognizing the potential to reach a broader audience through Disney+’s established streaming platform. “Collaborating with ESPN and Disney+ allows us to share the excitement of March Madness with a global audience that already values college basketball,” added Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball. “The NCAA tournament is the ultimate stage for student-athletes, and broadening access to that experience helps grow appreciation for and interest in the game worldwide.”
The 2026 tournament will see teams vying for the championships following Selection Sunday, scheduled for , when the 68-team fields are revealed. The defending champions entering the 2026 tournament will be the University of Florida Gators (men’s) and the University of Connecticut Huskies (women’s), who secured the titles in the previous year.
Notably, the University of Florida Gators were honored with a visit to the White House following their championship victory, being welcomed by US President Donald Trump to the East Room in Washington. This underscores the prestige and national recognition associated with winning March Madness.
The expansion of March Madness coverage to Europe and South Africa via Disney+ is part of a broader trend of increasing sports content on streaming platforms. Disney+ has been actively seeking to diversify its programming beyond its traditional entertainment offerings, recognizing the growing demand for live sports among subscribers. This move aligns with similar initiatives in other regions, such as the recent announcement that Disney+ will live stream March Madness in the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
Even as the men’s tournament in the United States remains the domain of CBS and TNT Sports, ESPN holds the international broadcasting rights, allowing it to distribute the games through platforms like Disney+. ESPN also exclusively owns the global rights to the women’s tournament, further solidifying its position as a key player in the international coverage of college basketball.
The addition of March Madness to Disney+’s sports lineup is expected to attract a new segment of viewers and enhance the platform’s appeal to sports enthusiasts. By offering comprehensive coverage of both the men’s and women’s tournaments, Disney+ aims to establish itself as a premier destination for college basketball fans in Europe and South Africa, fostering a greater appreciation for collegiate athletics on an international scale.
The single-elimination format of March Madness inherently builds drama and suspense, with each game carrying significant weight. The tournament’s unpredictable nature often leads to unexpected upsets, making it a captivating spectacle for both casual and dedicated basketball fans. Disney+’s accessibility and wide reach will allow a larger audience to experience the thrill of March Madness firsthand.