🏀 Middle-earth March Madness 2026 Round 4 — The Four of Power

Just four remain: who has made it this far, and who will move on?

Characters from all across Middle-earth have faced off in the first few rounds of Middle-earth March Madness. And what was once a group of 32 contestants has narrowed to the Company of 16 and then again to the Fellowship of the 8!

At long last our journey approaches its final chapter, and the first three ages of Middle-earth Madness have given way to The Four of Power.

Just four pairs remain. The winners of today’s matchups go on to the championship!

Before the recap and matchups, here’s a reminder of our schedule for this tournament:

The Round of 32 began on 3/17

The Company of 16 was 3/20

On Tolkien Reading Day, Tuesday 3/25, I announced another giveaway!

The Fellowship of the of 8 was on 3/26

The Four of Power is today, 4/2

The Championship matchup will occur on Monday, 4/6

The WINNER will be officially announced Thursday, 4/9

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ALSO, the Tolkien Reading Day giveaway is closed and I am contacting the winners! Thank you for all who entered: good luck!

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“Middle-earth March Madness” — Round 4: The Four of Power

Here is our updated bracket for the fourth round:

Each of the following pairs has triumphed over their region. But now they go head-to-head against the other champions. Who will emerge as the One Champion Team to Rule them all?

Frodo and Sam vs. Merry and Pippin

Partners vs. Brothers (-in Arms)

It is perhaps fitting that the first four to embark on the quest to destroy the Ring are the last four standing in their respective regions. Frodo and Sam defeated Bilbo and Gandalf with a resounding 84 to 16 win, and Merry and Pippin had a convincing win over Aragorn and Éomer, 69 to 31. And now we face the almost impossible choice between Sam and Frodo and Merry and Pippin. Which pair deserves to advance to the final round?

Legolas and Gimli vs Beren and Lúthien

Unlikely Friendships vs. Destined Duos

Legolas and Gimli put a stop to Elrond and Durin’s Cinderella run, 90 to 10, while Beren and Lúthien triumphed over their descendants Aragorn and Arwen in a gem of a contest 59 to 51. This leaves six of our final eight total contestants as members of the Fellowship of the Ring and Beren and Lúthien as the only representatives of the First Age, The Silmarillion, and…well anything outside LOTR! Now the champions of the Unlikely Friends face the winners of the Destined Duos: who advances to the Championship round?

The only thing left following today’s vote is the Middle-earth March Madness Championship!! Look for the results of today’s matchup to hit your inboxes this coming Tuesday, April 1st!

Appendices

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