What Is the ‘Final Four’ in Sports?
“Final Four” refers to the last four teams remaining in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, which is also famously known as “March Madness.”
It’s the semi-final and final weekend of the huge, 68-team, single-elimination tournament that decides the national champion of college basketball.
How It Works
- The Tournament: “March Madness” starts with 68 teams.
- The Regions: The tournament bracket is split into four separate regions (e.g., East, West, South, Midwest).
- The “Final Four”: To get to the Final Four, a team must win its entire region (this round is known as the “Elite Eight”). The four regional champions then advance to the Final Four, all playing in one city.
- The Games: The Final Four weekend consists of two national semi-final games, and then the championship game between those two winners.
What “Final Four” Means on a Sportsbook
This is one of the biggest betting events of the year. When you see “Final Four,” you can bet on it in two main ways:
- As a Futures Bet: This is the most popular way. Long before (or even during) the tournament, you can place a bet on a team “To Reach the Final Four.”
- Example: You bet $10 on Duke “To Make the Final Four.” If they win their region and become one of the last four teams, your bet wins (even if they lose their next game).
- As a Game Bet: Once the Final Four teams are set, you can bet on those specific semi-final games just like any regular game (using the point spread, moneyline, or Over/Under).