NCAA confirms no expansion for basketball tournaments in 2026, considers options for 2027
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Aug 05, 2025, 23:39 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: The NCAA has decided against expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments for the 2026 season, maintaining the current 68-team format. However, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential expansion to 72 or 76 teams for the 2027 tournaments and beyond. While NCAA President Charlie Baker supports expansion for inclusivity, coaches and conference leaders remain divided on the issue.
The NCAA announced Monday it will not expand the men’s or women’s basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams for the 2026 season, though discussions remain active about possible expansion for 2027 and beyond.
Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, confirmed the decision in a statement, saying that while no changes will occur in 2026, the idea of expanding to 72 or 76 teams remains under consideration for future tournaments.
“Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships,” Gavitt said. “However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships.”
The men’s and women’s tournaments currently feature 68 teams each, a structure adopted in 2011 with the addition of the First Four play-in games. Under the existing format, four at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions compete for spots in the 64-team main bracket.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has previously advocated for potential expansion, arguing it could improve inclusivity and align better with the growing competitiveness of college basketball. In May, Baker noted that “worthy” programs are often excluded under the current format.
“If you have a tournament that’s got 64 or 68 teams in it, you’re going to have a bunch of teams that are probably among what most people would consider to be the best 68 or 70 teams in the country that aren’t going to make the tournament,” Baker said. “The point behind going from 68 to 72 or 76 is to basically give some of those schools... a way into the tournament.”
The NCAA’s current broadcasting agreement with CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at approximately $1.1 billion annually, runs through 2032. Baker noted that early discussions with broadcast partners about possible expansion have been positive.
Coaches and conference leaders remain divided on the issue. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and UConn’s Dan Hurley have publicly supported maintaining the 68-team format, while Texas head coach Sean Miller and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have voiced openness to change.
“Never before has the tournament felt more even, with few exceptions,” Miller told CBS Sports. “On any given night in a 40-minute game, it’s just amazing what can happen. I think adding depth to that will only make what’s already good even better.”
Sankey emphasized that any expansion must be thoroughly vetted. “You just don’t jump into it,” he said at SEC football media days. “If there are reasons from a broadcast point, a financial point, logistics point or competitive realities that don’t support expansion, we’re going to be fine. But I think this is the right direction to at least explore.”
Big 12 coaches, including Kansas’ Bill Self, have shown tentative support for growth, citing potential equity issues across conferences. The Big 12 earned seven bids to the 2025 tournament, compared to 14 from the SEC.
“There was a little bit that was brought forth, and the consensus among the coaches... would be in favor of that,” Self said earlier this year. “I don’t know if you could make it where it was totally equitable... for everybody.”
While no changes are imminent, the possibility of an expanded field in 2027 could reshape the landscape of college basketball’s most celebrated tournament. For now, the structure remains unchanged—at least for one more season.
Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, confirmed the decision in a statement, saying that while no changes will occur in 2026, the idea of expanding to 72 or 76 teams remains under consideration for future tournaments.
“Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships,” Gavitt said. “However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships.”
The men’s and women’s tournaments currently feature 68 teams each, a structure adopted in 2011 with the addition of the First Four play-in games. Under the existing format, four at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions compete for spots in the 64-team main bracket.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has previously advocated for potential expansion, arguing it could improve inclusivity and align better with the growing competitiveness of college basketball. In May, Baker noted that “worthy” programs are often excluded under the current format.
“If you have a tournament that’s got 64 or 68 teams in it, you’re going to have a bunch of teams that are probably among what most people would consider to be the best 68 or 70 teams in the country that aren’t going to make the tournament,” Baker said. “The point behind going from 68 to 72 or 76 is to basically give some of those schools... a way into the tournament.”
The NCAA’s current broadcasting agreement with CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at approximately $1.1 billion annually, runs through 2032. Baker noted that early discussions with broadcast partners about possible expansion have been positive.
Coaches and conference leaders remain divided on the issue. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and UConn’s Dan Hurley have publicly supported maintaining the 68-team format, while Texas head coach Sean Miller and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have voiced openness to change.
“Never before has the tournament felt more even, with few exceptions,” Miller told CBS Sports. “On any given night in a 40-minute game, it’s just amazing what can happen. I think adding depth to that will only make what’s already good even better.”
Sankey emphasized that any expansion must be thoroughly vetted. “You just don’t jump into it,” he said at SEC football media days. “If there are reasons from a broadcast point, a financial point, logistics point or competitive realities that don’t support expansion, we’re going to be fine. But I think this is the right direction to at least explore.”
Big 12 coaches, including Kansas’ Bill Self, have shown tentative support for growth, citing potential equity issues across conferences. The Big 12 earned seven bids to the 2025 tournament, compared to 14 from the SEC.
“There was a little bit that was brought forth, and the consensus among the coaches... would be in favor of that,” Self said earlier this year. “I don’t know if you could make it where it was totally equitable... for everybody.”
While no changes are imminent, the possibility of an expanded field in 2027 could reshape the landscape of college basketball’s most celebrated tournament. For now, the structure remains unchanged—at least for one more season.