💰 Today's Best March Madness Bracket Contests & Deadlines 2026: FREE Challenges
No, Warren Buffett is no longer his doing billion-dollar bracket challenge.
Fortunately for us, and college basketball fans (of legal age) across the U.S., there are plenty of FREE March Madness bracket contests and challenges taking up his mantle. None more so than the Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket.
The deadline for most 2026 bracket contests and challenges will be tipoff between TCU and Ohio State at 12:15 p.m. ET tomorrow.
Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket
The Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket offers a grand prize of $1 billion only for a perfect bracket. In the absence of a perfect bracket, the first-place prize for the highest score will be $1 million.
The contest simply requires users to create and verify their account with Kalshi, then submit their best shot at a perfect bracket directly on the platform. There's no deposit or trade required to enter. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older and are limited to one bracket customer. The bracket contest is not available to users in N.Y. and Fla., or outside of the U.S.
The grand prize is insured by SIG Parametrics, ensuring the payout would be covered if someone wins.
🚀 Kalshi's $1B bracket contest
Use Kalshi promo code "SBR" to sign up with Kalshi today and join the Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket contest with a $1 billion prize for a perfect bracket, or $1 million for the highest score, plus $1 million to charity. Sign up with Kalshi today and create your bracket.
Must be of legal age (18+) and only one entry per user. Bracket contest not available to users in NY, Fla., or outside of the U.S. College basketball players, coaches, team staff, and officials in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament are also excluded.
Affiliate disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
🆓 More FREE March Madness bracket contests today
We've had since Sunday night to research, study, and finalize our March Madness bracket predictions. Now it's time to put that knowledge to the test, with the chance to win millions - or even $1 billion - in prizes.
Here are the best available March Madness betting promos for new users and March Madness bracket challenges ahead of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. All of the bracket contests listed below are FREE to enter.
| Sportsbook | Prizes | Entry cost | Welcome offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | Up to $1 billion | Enter for FREE | $10 trading bonus |
| bet365 | Win $10 million for a perfect bracket, $100K for best | Enter for FREE | Bet $10, get $365 (win OR lose) |
| DraftKings | $1,000,000 | Enter for FREE | Bet $5, get $200 instantly |
| Caesars | $5 million tournament pick'em | FREE | Get 10 100% profit boosts |
(Not available to residents of Ontario)
⏰ 2026 March Madness bracket contest deadlines
What you definitely don't want to do, is miss the March Madness bracket deadline for these contests - and your own pools.
Here are the deadlines for some of the best FREE March Madness bracket challenges, including the Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket - that's the one deadline you definitely don't want to miss this year!
| Platform | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi $1B Bracket | Thursday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. ET | One entry per user; not available in NY or FL |
| bet365 $10 million bracket challenge | Thursday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. ET | Locks at first tipoff |
| DraftKings March Mania survivor pool | Thursday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. ET | Locks at first tipoff |
| Office/Private Pools | Varies | Check with your pool organizer - many lock before tipoff |
🏃 Why you shouldn't wait until the last minute
Don't wait until the last minute. Bracket platforms - ESPN in particular - experience massive server strain in the hours leading up to the first tipoff, with millions of entries flooding in simultaneously as the deadline approaches.
Slow load times, error messages, and outright crashes are a real risk when you're cutting it close, and a failed submission means your bracket doesn't count - full stop.
Get your March Madness bracket predictions in now, and save yourself the stress of watching the clock tick toward 12:15 p.m. ET while a loading screen spins. SBR recommends submitting at least one hour before the deadline, and ideally before you sit down for your morning coffee.
bet365 $10 Million Bracket Challenge
bet365's perfect bracket challenge is back, with a $10 million prize to whoever completes a perfect bracket.
Don't fear if you lose a couple of games on Day 1 of the tournament. There is a $100,000 prize for the contestant with the most points by the end of the bracket, with additional prizes for the top 5,000 finishers.
Enter today via bet365 bonus code "SBRBONUS".
DraftKings March Mania Survivor Pool
DraftKings is offering a $1,000,000 grand prize for it's March Mania Survivor Pool winner. There's a cap of one entry per customer, and submissions are due before tipoff of Thursday's first game (TCU vs. Ohio State, 12:15 p.m. ET). In the event of a tie, the $1,000,000 prize will be split among the winners.
Our March Madness survivor guide can help you prepare for this survivor-style contest,
There's no DraftKings promo code needed!
🧠 March Madness bracket picks, contests & tips
Be sure you've done your March Madness research to give yourself the best shot at winning some of the above prizes. Here are our expert picks and guides to the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
- When are 2026 March Madness brackets due?
- Printable March Madness bracket
- Expert March Madness bracket predictions
- March Madness AI bracket predictions
- Best FREE March Madness bracket contests
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
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