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March Madness is bigger for 2027. It's unclear exactly how that will look in terms of who gets bids
The move adds 12 opening-round games and could reshape bid access, though it remains unclear whether mid-majors or power conferences will benefit most.
- Beginning in 2027, the NCAA will expand both men's and women's tournaments to 76 teams, adding 12 opening-round games that feed into a 64-team bracket.
- The tournament field has expanded gradually since 1985, reaching 68 teams in 2011 for men and 2022 for women, driven by stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
- Coaches remain divided: Minnesota men's coach Niko Medved said the change will be "more exciting than people realize," while UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma called it "strictly a money grab for the Power Four conferences."
- UCLA women's coach Cori Close emphasized the need for "a comprehensive strategy" regarding marketing and corporate sponsorship to maintain parity as the format expands.
- ACC commissioner Jim Phillips acknowledged that expansion improves March Madness amid growing investments in player compensation, while Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti expects his league to benefit significantly.
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March Madness is bigger for 2027. It’s unclear exactly how that will look in terms of who gets bids
Virginia’s Kymora Johnson remembers anxiously sitting through the unveiling of last season’s NCAA women’s tournament, unsure whether her Cavaliers would make the March Madness cut.
·Toronto, Canada
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The Star Democrat+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
March Madness is bigger for 2027. It's unclear exactly how that will look in terms of who gets bids
March Madness has grown to 76 teams for the men's and women's tournaments. Both events had been at 68 teams. It's unclear whether football-playing power conferences will gobble up the added spots or if it will give more chances for…
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 33%
C 59%
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