NCAA Read to the Final Four®
Established to support the NCAA's dedication to education, Read to the Final Four debuted at the 2016 Men's Final Four® and has made a significant impact on students nationwide, helping them accumulate an impressive 121+ million minutes of reading!
Read, Score, Win
Schools, teachers and third-grade students participate in a tournament style challenge to compete for fun prizes, free books, and a library makeover! The competition includes a selection day and bracket as they go head-to-head for the title of Reading Champion.
The NCAA Men’s Final Four, Indiana Sports Corp and the Local Organizing Committee are joining forces to bring Read to the Final Four to local third grade classes starting in the Fall of 2025.
Any questions? Contact community@indianasportscorp.org
Readers, you're officially in the game!
Thank you to all our Read to the Final Four participants. Now that you are in the game, be sure to track all your minutes and secure placement in the bracket. View your classroom’s dashboard by visiting the link below.
View DashboardRead to the Final Four Day
Friday, September 19, 2025At 12:41 p.m. on Friday, September 19, classrooms across Indiana will pause and read for 26 minutes in honor of the 2026 Men’s Final Four coming to Indianapolis. This is also the official kickoff of pre-season reading, and it’s a perfect time to get students engaged and motivated.
Read to the Final Four Registration Deadline for 3rd Grade Classrooms in Indiana
Wednesday, October 1, 2025Teachers and schools should complete registration for their classes by clicking here. Teachers can check back on Beanstack for pre-bracket challenges to get readers game-ready and practice logging time.
Bracket-Tipoff
Monday, November 3, 2025Teachers, mark your calendars! Start logging time in the bracket challenge for your placement in the Read to the Final Four bracket. Be sure to log all your time as you compete against schools to help you advance in the bracket challenge.
To mark this momentous occasion, schools are encouraged to participate in another unified moment of reading. At 12:41 p.m. on Monday, November 3, classrooms should read for 26 minutes as they tip off their reading for the bracket challenge.
Read Across America/Indiana Day
Monday, March 2, 2026Read Across America Day is the nation’s largest day in celebrating reading. Teachers, parents and literary champions, as you encourage your students to in their reading journey, be sure to log your time in your Read to the Final Four challenge as you read towards the championship!
Key Dates for Bracket Announcements
Participating schools will be logging all their time following the November 3rd tipoff through the end of January to secure their placement in the brackets. Rounds for the bracket challenge will start the first week of February. Following the conclusion of each round, advancing schools will be announced.
- Feb. 2 – Feb. 8: Round of 68 (Bracket competition begins, continue logging time to advance through the bracket)
- Feb. 9 – Feb. 15: Round of 64
- Feb. 16 – Feb. 22: Round of 32
- Feb. 23 – March 1: Sweet 16
- March 2 – 8: Elite 8
- March 9 – 15: Final Four
- Final Four Celebrations in April – Final Four teams will be recognized and champions will be crowned during the Read to the Final Four celebrations during
Fan Jam Fridays
Fan Jam Friday is rolling into schools across Indiana starting in October and going through February. This mobile celebration brings basketball, music, and literacy fun to students statewide. During these visits, a standout Literacy Champion from the school will also be recognized. Schools can request the Fan Jam between 10am and 2pm and they must be a Read to the Final Four School. Reach out to community@indianasportscorp.org for more details and a chance for your school to participate in a Fan Jam visit.
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