March Madness is a time for buzzer-beaters, upsets, and late-night thrills. But this year, the NCAA has attempted to alter the rhythm of the tournament’s most anticipated moment by adjusting the tip-off time of the National Championship game. As the clock winds down toward the title game, fans have to grapple with this shift in timing. Will this change give fans a smoother ride to the finish line or leave them feeling like they missed the final buzzer?

According to a recent post on X, “National Championship tip-off time! The 2025 National Championship will tip off at 8:50 pm ET – 30 minutes earlier than the typical start time.” This slight change has raised eyebrows across social media, especially for viewers who have become accustomed to the game stretching late into the night. The NCAA’s decision to shift the start time is seen as an attempt to accommodate East Coast audiences who often find themselves watching the game well past midnight. This move comes at a time when March Madness viewership has recorded some decline.

In 2017, the title game between North Carolina and Gonzaga drew nearly 23 million viewers. Fast forward to 2023, and UConn’s win over San Diego State averaged 14.7 million viewers, signaling a noticeable drop. In an effort to reverse this trend, the NCAA’s decision to adjust the start time may be an attempt to restore some of the lost appeal. The College Football Playoff made a similar change in timing in 2022 when the title game kickoff was moved up to 7:30 pm ET. But not all fans see eye to eye with the change.

March madness fans debate new tip-off: Too late for some, time zones don’t help

One fan tweeted, “Super Bowl kicks at 6:40 pm on a Sunday. Follow their lead…” This comment speaks to the desire for consistency across major sporting events. If the Super Bowl can manage an early evening start on a Sunday, why can’t the NCAA follow suit for its marquee event? Another fan pointed out, “On a Monday too,” highlighting the additional challenge of having to stay up late for a national championship game while braving Monday Blues. The fan’s comment underscores the balancing act many face between work, school, and sports fandom.

For others, the time zone differences are simply too significant to overlook. One fan commented, “Central time is superior. No question,” suggesting that the Eastern Time Zone often gets the short end of the stick with late starts.

Meanwhile, another fan tweeted, “Move it to a Sunday. Make it at 3 pm,” proposing a completely different approach. While it may not be as traditional as the late-night tip-off, the suggestion to play the game during the day offers a fresh perspective.

Despite these varying opinions, one comment resonated with many: “Still so late,” with another chiming in, “This start time is brutal.” The sentiment here speaks to the struggle of fans who love the game but may not be eager to lose precious hours of sleep for a championship spectacle.

With March Madness, every game is an emotional rollercoaster, and now, fans are trying to decide if this new tip-off time is the right play or an unnecessary foul. Will this change help bring back the energy that once made the tournament a must-watch event, or will it leave fans lamenting the loss of the late-night thrills? Only time will tell, but for now, the conversation is heating up as the clock ticks toward 8:50 pm ET.