50% up to $1,000 »
Best March Madness Bracket Challenges for 2024
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 7 minutes
Another year of March Madness has arrived, and if this season is any indication, a lot of bracket madness is ahead in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
For those not directly involved in the action on the court, one of the best ways to have fun with March Madness each year is by entering a bracket challenge.
Some people like to participate in bracket challenges with friends, family, or co-workers, while some prefer a contest run by an entity. Whether you are more interested in having bragging rights among your group or are aiming for a big prize, you can find what you are looking for at places like ESPN, Yahoo, or popular online sports betting sites.
After debuting last year, Betting News Bracket Mania is back this year with a free bracket challenge for the 2024 edition of men’s March Madness (a.k.a. the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament). Some great goodies will be up for grabs, and with the field of 68 now known, you can sign up and make your men’s March Madness bracket picks.
What are some of the other March Madness bracket challenges you should consider entering this year? We look at a few below.
The Madness may be here, but you don’t have to go mad trying to work through your bracket. Prepare for the madness with our March Madness guide, where you can find links to all of our NCAA men’s and women’s tournament content.
Best March Madness Bracket Challenges for 2024
Betting News Bracket Mania Returns for 2024!
As should be expected, our look at the best bracket challenges starts with a plug for our own contest.
You can make your bracket picks and go up against the Betting News community, as well as our team of writers and content creators. It is free to enter, and if you finish first, second, or third, you can win t-shirts and other prizes from the Betting News store. Perhaps that could include this dandy “Trust the Plums” t-shirt? That’s a fine motto to live by, especially in March.
If you would potentially like that addition to your wardrobe, hit the link and use the password “Bettingnews2024” to enter Betting News Bracket Mania. And if you need any help filling out your men’s March Madness bracket, check out our rundown of some of the best March Madness betting tips and strategies.
BetOnline $200,000 Bracket Madness
At BetOnline, you can take a crack at a grand prize of at least $50,000 in their $200,000 Bracket Madness contest.
It’s a straightforward contest, as you pick all 63 games from the First Round to the championship game, and points will be awarded for any correct picks.
It must be noted that this is a pay-to-play March Madness bracket challenge. There is an entry fee of $20 for your first entry and discounted fees for following entries. There is a limit of 20 entries.
But there are some lucrative prizes available, including the grand prize, a second prize of at least $25,000, a third prize of at least $10,000, and cash prizes for everyone who finishes in the top 1,250 (and potential ties). Therefore, you could recoup your investment and then some.
BetOnline $200,000 Bracket Madness Prizes (minimum guaranteed amounts)
- 1st: $50,000
- 2nd: $25,000
- 3rd: $10,000
- 4th: $5,000
- 5th: $4,000
- 6th: $3,000
- 7th: $2,500
- 8th: $1,750
- 9th: $1,250
- 10th: $1,000
- 11th-15th: $800
- 16th-20th: $500
- 21st-30th: $400
- 31st-40th: $320
- 41st-50th: $280
- 51st-76th: $240
- 76th-100th: $200
Are you wondering why “at least” is specified here? It is because the $200,000 prize pool is the guaranteed amount. Every dollar above $200,000 that is collected in entry fees will be added to the prize pool.
If you make the maximum 20 entries (which would cost you $170) and finish even finish between 76th and 100th, you will come out ahead, even if the prize pool doesn’t go beyond the listed amounts.
BetOnline’s $200,000 Bracket Madness is now open for entries, so head on over there and get your picks in. And while you are at it, take advantage of one of their fantastic bonus offers. If you are a new BetOnline sign-up, you can get a 100% bonus (up to $1,000) if your first deposit is with a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether. And if you already have an account there, you can get a 25% reload bonus.
Betting on men’s and/or women’s March Madness this year? Check out our rundown of some the best March Madness betting sites.
BetUS March Mania
For this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, BetUS is running three bracket contests: a 64-team bracket contest, a 16-team bracket contest, and an 8-team bracket contest.
The 64-team contest carries a prize of $1,000,000 for the person who produces a perfect March Madness bracket, while the person who makes the most correct picks will win a $5,000 free play (10x rollover). It opened for entries following the release of this year’s men’s March Madness bracket, and entries will be allowed until the Round of 64 tips off on Thursday, March 21.
The 16-team contest, which will commence once the first weekend has taken place and the field is trimmed to the last 16 teams, carries a big prize of $10,000 for a perfect bracket. The contest will open for entries on Sunday, March 24 and close on Thursday, March 28.
The same top prize for a perfect bracket will be up for grabs for the 8-team contest. That contest will be open for entries after the Sweet Sixteen has taken place on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29 and will close before the Elite Eight tips off on Saturday, March 30.
Other contest prizes include $250 casino chips and sportsbook free plays.
Is BetUS March Mania a free contest? No, you must make deposits to be able to enter. Each deposit of $100+ made during the specific contest windows will qualify for a contest entry. For example, for the 64-team contest, that window opened on March 1 and will close on March 21.
Get a 200% welcome bonus at BetUS (150% sports + 50% casino) if your first deposit is with cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, etc.). Make sure you read any applicable terms and conditions, and please bet responsibly.
Yahoo Sports $25,000 Bracket Madness
Along with the March Madness bracket challenges you can find at sports betting sites like BetOnline and BetUS, places like Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS Sports are also offering free bracket contests this year.
Yahoo is doing a bracket challenge for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The big prize for the best bracket in each contest is $25,000.
Check out the Betting News store to see the kind of swag you could sport if you win our Bracket Mania contest. We have t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more.
More March Madness Information
What Are the Best March Madness Betting Sites for 2024?
Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, including the two mentioned above, BetOnline and BetUS. In addition to those two sports betting sites, Bovada and MyBookie are two other great options for March Madness betting.
All four of those well-known sports betting sites have both men’s and women’s March Madness odds this year. Are you unfamiliar with any of these sites? Check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about what they offer. Each review covers betting options, deposit and payout options, and more.
Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others. That way, you will not miss out on any special sportsbook sign-up bonuses and other promos to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.
Other March Madness Content at Betting News
You can find links to all of our content for this year’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at our March Madness guide. Here are some of the most notable pieces to peruse over the next three weeks.
- 2024 Men’s March Madness Futures Odds
- Men’s March Madness Sleepers for 2024
- Men’s March Madness Bubble Watch
Also, follow us X (formerly known as Twitter), Twitch, and TikTok to catch all of the March Madness content that we will be posting on our socials.
FAQ About March Madness Bracket Contests
Free Betting Picks