Published on April 3rd, 2025
March Madness is here, and Instagram is stepping up its game with new themed features designed to enhance fan engagement.
From animated basketball effects to team-based story templates, IG is offering multiple ways for college basketball enthusiasts to show their support and stay connected throughout the tournament.
New Instagram Features for March Madness
Basketball-Themed Notes Animations
Instagram has introduced special basketball animations that appear in Notes when users include specific keywords such as “Bracket buster,” “Slam Dunk,” and “Miami Heat.”
These fun animations add a dynamic touch to conversations and bring extra excitement to tournament discussions.
Special Effects for DMs
Users who share Reels related to March Madness or from their favorite team’s Instagram account will notice special effects added to their Direct Messages.
This interactive element enhances the visual experience and encourages more engagement.
New “Basketball” Chat Theme
A fresh chat theme dedicated to basketball is now available, allowing fans to customize their DMs with a March Madness vibe.
Team-Based “Add Yours” Templates
Instagram has also introduced team-specific “Add Yours” templates for Stories, enabling users to showcase their favorite teams and rally support from fellow fans.
32 New Giphy Stickers for Stories
To top it all off, Instagram has rolled out 32 team-specific animated Giphy stickers, perfect for enhancing Stories with branded team visuals and celebrating game-day moments.
Read More: Instagram Introduces ‘Re-Posts’
Instagram’s Push for Sports Community Engagement
With these updates, Instagram aims to tap into the passionate world of sports fans, an audience traditionally dominated by X (formerly Twitter) when it comes to real-time engagement.
By integrating sports-friendly features on both Instagram and Threads, Meta is making a strategic move to build vibrant sports communities within its ecosystem.
While X still holds the edge in live sports discussions, Instagram’s visually immersive experience provides a complementary platform for fans who prefer engaging through Reels, Stories, and creative social interactions.
By adding these basketball-themed features, IG is not only celebrating March Madness but also strengthening its position as a hub for digital sports culture.
Read More: Instagram Introduces 2x Speed For Reels
Final Thoughts
Instagram’s March Madness-themed additions may be subtle, but they contribute to a larger effort to enhance social interactions around live events.
Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or a digital marketer looking to leverage trending features, these updates present exciting ways to connect, engage, and grow your audience.
As social platforms continue evolving to integrate real-time sports conversations, expect more innovations in this space. So, keep an eye out for what’s next and make the most of Instagram’s latest features to level up your content strategy!
Read More: Instagram Removes Notes From Feed And Reels
