US EditionMarch Madness Men’s and Women’s Tournament Field Will Stay at 68 Teams in 2026 but Could Expand in 2027
UNITED STATES, AUG 4 – The NCAA cited logistical challenges and ongoing talks with TV partners delaying expansion plans beyond 68 teams until 2027 or later, officials said.
- On Aug. 4, NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt confirmed the men's and women's NCAA Tournament will stay at 68 teams for 2026, postponing expansion plans.
- Committees failed to finalize an expansion plan after July meetings, and NCAA president Charlie Baker last month highlighted logistical challenges for an eight-month timeline.
- The First Four round, introduced in 2011, added three games to reach a 68-team field, with two involving 16 seeds and two involving at-large teams seeded 11 or 12.
- The committees will continue conversations on recommending expansion to 72 or 76 teams for the 2027 championships, with talks expected to resume for 2027 and beyond.
- The NCAA president Charlie Baker noted the NCAA has had "good conversations" with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros., whose broadcast deal runs through 2032 at about $1.1 billion a year.
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NCAA: No expansion of basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams this season, talks ongoing about 2027
FILE – A basketball with a March Madness logo is seen going through a net prior to a tournament game between Notre Dame and Michigan last season in South Bend, Ind. | John Mersits, Associated Press, File. The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will not expand beyond 68 teams in 2026, but future growth remains on the radar. “Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball champi…
NCAA’s Dan Gavitt announces decision on possible basketball tournament expansion
Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s Senior Vice President of Basketball, announced Monday that expansion of the men’s and women’s basketball tournament was not on the table for 2026.Discussion have taken place regarding the possibility of expanding to either 72 or 76 teams from the current 68. Gavitt said that’s not happening immediately, but did not rule out the possibility in future years.
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