The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are officially growing, expanding from 68 to 76 teams starting next season. This substantial shift, announced Thursday after approvals from various committees including the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees and the NCAA board of governors, marks the largest increase to the tournament field in decades. The expansion is slated to commence in the 2027 season, with final television contracts reportedly being a key catalyst.
The revised format introduces an "Opening Round," replacing the previous "First Four." This new phase will feature 24 teams competing in 12 games over two days, prior to the traditional First Round. Of these 24 teams, half will be the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers, with the other half being the lowest-seeded at-large selections. This adds twelve games to the tournament slate. The subsequent First Round will continue with 32 games spread across two days, followed by the Second Round.
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This expansion is anticipated to funnel more money to conferences and individual schools. The increase in games directly translates to amplified revenue streams from television contracts. Reports indicate that the NCAA still has six years remaining on its current television agreements for both men's and women's tournaments.
The move has been debated for some time, with discussions among committees predating the official announcement. Some coaches, particularly those from mid- and low-major programs, have voiced concerns about the potential impact of expansion on teams on the fringes of qualification. The shift also means fewer teams will be left out of the NCAA bracket for the NIT.
