2025 Preview

COMING SOON…

Key Dates

Each year, March Meowdness follows the exact schedule of the real-life Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament.

  • Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16th (bracket will be announced)
  • First Round: March 20th-21st (Region 1/4 on 21st, Region 2/3 on 22nd)
  • Second Round: March 22nd-23rd (Region 1/4 on 23rd, Region 2/3 on 24th)
  • Sweet 16: March 27th-28th (Region 1/4 on 28th, Region 2/3 on 29th)
  • Elite Eight: March 29th-30th (Region 1/4 on 30th, Region 2/3 on 31st)
  • Final Four: April 5th
  • 🏆 Championship Matchup: April 7th 🏆

Selection Sunday (Bracket Announcement)

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2024 Summary

The 2024 tournament was an electrifying showcase of feline charisma and competitive spirit, featuring standout performances and memorable matches:

Early Round Surprises:

Cinderella Stories:

  • The community rallied behind unexpected contenders such as #15 @its.rubyru (704 followers), who demonstrated that enthusiasm and engagement could defy odds.

Final Four Drama:

  • #10 @count_salem (2.3k followers), a returning favorite, showcased strategic brilliance and a dedicated follower base, propelling him into the final rounds with a series of commanding performances.
  • #7 @bilbo_fluffins (7.5k followers), known for their creative content, also made an impressive run to the semifinals, defeating higher-seeded competitors along the way.

Championship Battle:

  • The finals saw @count_salem pitted against @bilbo_fluffins, in a showdown that had the community on edge. With both cats having significant followings and strong social media strategies, it was a closely watched match.

Salem’s Victory:

  • Salem’s win was characterized by high engagement rates and a tactical approach to content, resonating well with the audience and securing the highest vote count in each round of the tournament.

Last year’s March Meowdness not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the catfluencer community but also celebrated the diversity and creativity of its members. The tournament was a testament to the power of engagement and the significant impact of community support in the world of social media influencing.

Tournament History

Follow the links below to read about the history of March Meowdness over the last five years and learn more about each champion.

Format & FAQ

Welcome to “March Meowdness!” Since its start in 2020, our tournament has grown and adapted, bringing more excitement each year.

Below you’ll find an updated breakdown of how the competition works, along with answers to some common questions we’ve received over the years.

Whether you’re a seasoned follower or new to the excitement, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know about our beloved annual event.

March Meowdness mirrors the excitement and schedule of the Men’s College Basketball March Madness, featuring a thrilling bracket competition among 64 cat accounts. For a detailed look at the specific timeline, please see the preview section above.

The idea for March Meowdness sprang to life in March 2020 when the traditional March Madness tournament was canceled. Finding ourselves working from home, surrounded by our cats and lacking the usual sports and entertainment options, we created our own version of the madness to enjoy with our feline friends.

The tournament will feature cat-focused accounts based in the USA, which facilitates the distribution of prizes from our generous brand sponsors. Details about these sponsors can be found below.

We strive to select participants judiciously to ensure fairness while maximizing excitement and engagement among the community.

Wondering how to join the fun? It’s easy! Simply fill out the entry form available here. If you prefer, we’re also accepting entries through Instagram DMs or emails sent to catfluence@yahoo.com.

For returning participants who remained active throughout 2024, we’re offering an automatic bid into this year’s tournament. Best of all, it’s completely free for both cat accounts and brands to enter the competition.

Curious about how we crown the champion in March Meowdness? Once we’ve selected our top 64 cat accounts, we seed them from 1 to 16 in four separate groups, based on their follower count to ensure a balanced competition.

The excitement really ramps up when the bracket is set. We then showcase each matchup through story polls on our Instagram page, @catfluence. This allows our followers to vote on their favorite accounts round by round. The cat account with the most votes in each poll advances to the next stage, all the way to the finals, where our ultimate winner is determined by community engagement.

Get ready to cast your votes and help decide who takes home this year’s crown!

The climax of our March Meowdness isn’t just the title but the array of fantastic prizes our Final Four contestants win, courtesy of our amazing sponsors. The champion of the tournament takes home a collection of the most coveted prizes, followed by the runner-up, each more impressive than the last. Those accounts that don’t make it past the Final Four will still walk away with their own set of rewards.

Additionally, all winners are encouraged to celebrate their victory by sharing posts and stories on social media. This not only shows appreciation but also helps promote the brands that have generously supported our competition. Get ready to enjoy the spoils of your victory!

Brand sponsors of March Meowdness reap significant exposure and engagement benefits. Each sponsor’s logo is prominently displayed on our tournament bracket, ensuring visibility throughout the event. Additionally, their Instagram handle is mentioned in the comments of every bracket post on our @catfluence Instagram, enhancing their social media presence.

Brands are also spotlighted in exclusive social media posts across all our channels, amplifying their reach within the cat-loving community. Furthermore, each sponsor receives a detailed writeup at the end of this blog post. This includes a discussion about their brand and the prizes they are providing, along with a valuable backlink to their website, boosting both recognition and SEO.

Please note, sponsors are responsible for shipping prizes directly to the winners, all of whom are based within the USA, ensuring a smooth fulfillment process.

To keep up with the excitement of March Meowdness, tune into our Instagram stories where we’ll be posting matchup polls for each round. These polls align with the Men’s Basketball March Madness timeline and are available for 24 hours. We typically post our stories in the morning, Eastern Standard Time, to capture a wide audience.

For continuous updates, keep an eye on this blog post, which we refresh daily after each round concludes. We also actively engage our followers on all social media channels with posts announcing upcoming rounds—so don’t forget to follow us and turn on post notifications to stay in the loop!

2025 Sponsors

Read about the generous brands that will be sponsoring prizes for this year’s bracket challenge!

Become a brand sponsor! Shoot us a DM on Instagram to @Catfluence or fill out our contact form.

At Catfluence, we thrive on fostering the special relationship between cats and their owners, particularly those who capture the spotlight on social platforms. Our brand is a treasure trove of all things feline—from trending videos and hilarious memes to unique art and practical products designed to enhance cat life.

Our goal? To uplift the realm of cat influencers by providing a platform that displays their charming behaviors and connects them with brands eager to engage a cat-loving audience.

In this year’s March Meowdness, the top two contenders will each receive a Catfluence t-shirt of their choice, along with a sheet of stickers, celebrating their journey in the contest. The third and fourth-place winners aren’t left out; they’ll each receive a Catfluence sticker, perfect for showcasing their cat pride.

These rewards are more than just prizes; they symbolize the creativity, dedication, and passion each participant brings to the feline influencer community. Join us in this festive homage to cat stardom, where your beloved pet can truly make its mark.

Baker’s Dozen Digital, a pioneer in digital marketing, crafts customized solutions to enhance online visibility. Their expertise spans social media growth, SEO optimization, email marketing, website development, video production, graphic design, and affiliate marketing, making them a one-stop shop for digital excellence.

This year for March Meowdness, Baker’s Dozen Digital is upping the ante by offering the top winner an exclusive Instagram and social media audit. This prize includes a detailed review with tips, recommendations, and best practices designed to elevate content and expand their social media following. This invaluable session is geared towards catfluencers eager to amplify their online presence and achieve measurable growth.

Nocciola Toys, and their cat toy sub-brand, Pawsible, brings a delightful twist to pet playtime with their range of funny, adorable, and creatively designed toys for cats and dogs. Emphasizing sustainability and durability, their products are made to last and keep your pets engaged. With a commitment to reducing environmental impact, Nocciola and Pawsible ensure that each toy is as eco-friendly as it is entertaining.

For March Meowdness 2025, Nocciola Toys and Pawsible steps up as a proud sponsor, offering an exciting array of prizes for the top winner. The prize pack includes a variety of their most popular and engaging chase-and-play toys, ensuring that the winning cat (and their human) will have endless hours of fun and stimulation. Featured toys include interactive cat wands, plush toys, and sustainably made play items that are perfect for every playful cat.

🎁 Enjoy a 10% discount on your next purchase at Nocciola Toys and Pawsible with the Amazon code: NOCCIOLAMZ10. Check out their Amazon store for more amazing products: Pawsible on Amazon.