NCAA basketball tournament won't expand in 2026, still possible for 2027

Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, August 4th 2025 at 16:58 GMT by USA TODAY
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

March Madness will stay at 68 teams for the 2026 edition, while it could expand to 72 or 76 teams in 2027.

NCAA Decides Against Expanding Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, Preserving March Madness Format

In a move that has quelled months of speculation and debate within the college basketball community, the NCAA has officially announced that it will not expand the men's and women's basketball tournaments for the foreseeable future. This decision maintains the current 68-team format for the men's side and the 68-team structure for the women's tournament, ensuring that the iconic March Madness event retains its traditional structure amid growing pressures from conferences, broadcasters, and stakeholders to increase the field size. The announcement, made by NCAA officials during a press conference, underscores a commitment to preserving the integrity and excitement of the postseason while addressing concerns about dilution of competition and logistical challenges.

The discussion around tournament expansion has been a hot topic in recent years, fueled by the evolving landscape of college athletics. With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, conference realignments, and the increasing commercialization of college sports, many advocates argued that adding more teams could generate additional revenue, provide more opportunities for underdog stories, and accommodate the growing number of competitive programs. Proposals floated included expanding to 76, 80, or even 96 teams, which would have introduced more play-in games, extended the tournament duration, and potentially altered the bracket dynamics that fans have come to love. However, after extensive deliberations involving the NCAA's Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees, the governing body concluded that such changes would risk undermining the unique appeal of March Madness.

At the heart of the decision is a desire to protect the tournament's core elements. NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized in his statement that the current format strikes an ideal balance between inclusivity and high-stakes drama. "March Madness is more than just a basketball tournament; it's a cultural phenomenon that captivates millions each year," Baker said. "We've listened to feedback from coaches, athletic directors, fans, and media partners, and the consensus is clear: expansion could dilute the magic that makes this event special. We're committed to enhancing the experience without fundamentally altering what works." This sentiment echoes concerns raised by prominent figures in the sport, including coaches like Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (in retirement) and UConn's Geno Auriemma, who have previously voiced worries that a larger field might reduce the intensity of early-round matchups and make it harder for Cinderella stories to emerge.

Historically, the men's tournament has undergone expansions before, evolving from its inception in 1939 with just eight teams to the current 68-team bracket introduced in 2011. That change added four play-in games, allowing more at-large bids and automatic qualifiers from smaller conferences. The women's tournament followed a similar path, expanding to 68 teams in 2022 to mirror the men's structure and promote gender equity in postseason play. These adjustments were largely seen as positive, increasing parity and viewership. Yet, the push for further growth intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted financial vulnerabilities in college athletics. Power conferences like the Big Ten and SEC, bolstered by recent realignments that absorbed teams from the Pac-12 and others, lobbied for more spots to reward their deeper rosters. Broadcasters, including CBS and Turner Sports, which hold the lucrative media rights deal worth billions, also expressed interest in expansion as a way to extend programming and boost ad revenue.

Despite these pressures, the NCAA's decision against expansion was influenced by several key factors. Logistically, adding teams would require more venues, officials, and travel accommodations, potentially straining resources at host sites and increasing costs for participating schools. There's also the issue of scheduling: the tournament already spans three weeks in March and April, and extending it could overlap with academic calendars or conflict with other sports seasons. More critically, data from past tournaments suggests that expansion might not enhance competitiveness. Analysts point out that in the current format, upsets and buzzer-beaters are frequent, with lower-seeded teams often advancing deep into the bracket. For instance, the men's side has seen remarkable runs by teams like Florida Gulf Coast in 2013 or Saint Peter's in 2022, which might be less likely in a diluted field where top seeds face weaker opponents earlier.

On the women's side, the decision is particularly noteworthy given the surge in popularity following stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have elevated the profile of women's college basketball. The 2024 women's final drew record viewership, surpassing some men's games, and advocates argued that expansion could capitalize on this momentum by including more programs from mid-major conferences. However, NCAA Women's Basketball Committee Chair Nina King highlighted the importance of maintaining quality over quantity. "We've seen tremendous growth in the women's game, and we're focused on building on that foundation," King stated. "Expansion isn't the only way to grow; we're exploring enhancements like better seeding processes, increased marketing, and improved fan engagement to ensure every team in the field has a meaningful shot at the title."

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed but largely supportive from traditionalists. College basketball purists and fans on social media have praised the NCAA for resisting change, with many expressing relief that the bracket-filling ritual and office pools won't be complicated by additional teams. "Thank goodness," tweeted one fan. "March Madness is perfect as is—don't fix what ain't broken." Coaches from smaller conferences, however, have voiced mild disappointment, noting that expansion could provide more access for deserving teams that often get left out due to the at-large selection process. For example, mid-major programs like Gonzaga (on the men's side) or South Dakota State (women's) have thrived in the current setup but argue that a few extra spots could level the playing field further.

Looking ahead, the NCAA isn't closing the door entirely on future changes. Officials indicated that they will continue monitoring the sport's landscape, particularly with ongoing antitrust lawsuits, revenue-sharing models, and potential unionization efforts that could reshape college athletics. A task force has been formed to study alternative enhancements, such as reforming the selection criteria to better reward regular-season performance or integrating advanced analytics into bracketing. There's also talk of increasing the number of automatic bids for conferences that demonstrate consistent postseason success, which could indirectly expand opportunities without altering the overall field size.

Financially, the decision maintains the status quo for a tournament that generates over $1 billion annually in revenue, primarily through media rights and sponsorships. By not expanding, the NCAA avoids potential risks like viewer fatigue or diminished ticket sales from less compelling early games. Instead, the focus shifts to maximizing the existing format's value, perhaps through digital innovations like enhanced streaming options or virtual reality experiences for fans.

In the broader context of college sports, this choice reflects a cautious approach amid uncertainty. With football dominating revenue discussions and basketball serving as the springtime jewel, preserving March Madness's essence is seen as vital to the NCAA's brand. As the 2025 tournaments approach, teams and fans can rest assured that the path to the Final Four remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever, with 68 squads on each side vying for glory in what continues to be one of sports' greatest spectacles.

This decision also highlights ongoing efforts toward equity between men's and women's tournaments. Since the 2021 disparity report that exposed inequalities in facilities and branding, the NCAA has made strides, including equalizing the use of the "March Madness" moniker for both. By keeping the formats aligned, the organization reinforces its commitment to parity, ensuring that both tournaments receive comparable attention and resources.

Ultimately, the NCAA's stance against expansion is a vote of confidence in the tournament's proven formula. It prioritizes the underdog narratives, the bracket-busting surprises, and the communal joy that define March Madness. While change is inevitable in college athletics, for now, the madness stays contained—and that's just how many want it. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full USA Today Article at:
[ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/08/04/ncaa-basketball-tournament-not-expanding-mens-womens-march-madness-expansion/85315070007/ ]

N※N

NCAA basketball tournament won't expand in 2026, still possible for 2027

NCAA Decides Against Expanding Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, Preserving March Madness Format