The Rules That March Madness Players Must Follow

Mar 20, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; The March Madness logo on the court during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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NCAA basketball athletes who compete in March Madness must follow a strict set of rules.

Here they are:

1.  They can make their own brackets, as long as there’s no money involved.  Anyone who violates the betting rules could face severe penalties.

2.  Jewelry isn’t allowed, and headwear is limited.  There are specific rules for headbands, and barrettes and bobby pins aren’t allowed.

3.  Men have to tuck their jerseys into their shorts, but women don’t have to since theirs are usually shorter.

4.  Fingernails must be clipped and can’t be “excessively long.”  They can be painted, though.

5.  Players can’t lift or carry their teammates.

6.  There’s a strict code for sportsmanship.  Players must be respectful, or they could receive an infraction.

7.  Tobacco use is prohibited.

You can check out the men’s bracket here, and the women’s bracket here.

SOURCE: People