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2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off with live betting on Kalshi's new markets

March Madness just got wilder. Trade on VCU vs. UNC, Texas vs. BYU, and even announcer buzzwords—all with real cash on Kalshi's platform.

The image shows a paper with the text "Navy YMCA Restaurant Exchange Coupon" written on it,...
The image shows a paper with the text "Navy YMCA Restaurant Exchange Coupon" written on it, indicating that it is a coupon for a restaurant.

2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off with live betting on Kalshi's new markets

The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins today, with real-money betting markets now live on Kalshi. Fans can trade on a range of outcomes, from game winners to in-game milestones. Among the day's highlights are (11) VCU facing (6) North Carolina and (7) Texas taking on (10) BYU.

Kalshi's platform offers multiple ways to engage with March Madness. The simplest option is the outright winner market, which works like a traditional moneyline bet. Traders can also explore point spreads and point totals for each matchup.

Beyond basic results, Kalshi includes futures, awards, and tournament props. Some games feature more detailed markets, such as first-half winners or 'race to' milestones. A unique addition is the mention market, where users bet on whether announcers will say specific words or phrases during broadcasts. New users signing up with promo code **DEFI** receive a $10 bonus after trading $10. However, the platform does not provide contracts on individual player performances. The focus remains on team-based and event-driven markets.

The tournament's opening day brings high-stakes matchups and expanded trading options. Kalshi's markets cover everything from game outcomes to announcer commentary. Fans now have more ways to follow the action with real-money involvement.

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