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NCAA Tournament fields to remain at 68 teams in 2026, but future growth is possible

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 31st 2025 at 13:16 GMT by Dayton Daily News
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NCAA Keeps 68‑Team Field Through 2026, But Expansion Still on the Horizon

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) confirmed that the men’s basketball tournament will retain its current 68‑team format through the 2026 season, while leaving the door open for future growth. The announcement, which followed a long debate among coaches, conference officials, broadcasters, and fans, underscored the association’s commitment to balancing tradition, fairness, and the commercial realities of the sport.

A Brief History of the 68‑Team Format

The 68‑team tournament, often referred to as “March Madness,” first appeared in 2011. Prior to that, the tournament had been a 64‑team affair since 1975. The expansion added a set of “First Four” play‑in games that determine the last four teams to enter the main bracket. Those games have become a fan‑favorite, providing a high‑stakes opening to the national event and a revenue source for the NCAA and participating schools.

The NCAA’s decision in 2011 was rooted in the desire to increase participation and revenue. “More teams mean more opportunities for schools to compete for a share of the national spotlight and for fans to witness historic moments,” said the NCAA’s then‑Commissioner, Mark Emmert, in a statement released at the time. The expansion was widely praised for widening the tournament’s reach to smaller conferences and creating a more inclusive competition.

The 2026 Announcement

The recent announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the NCAA in Indianapolis. NCAA Commissioner Mark Emmert, accompanied by representatives from the College Basketball Invitational and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, addressed questions about the tournament’s future size. The official statement reads: “The NCAA Tournament will remain at 68 teams for the 2026 season, following the successful model that has grown the competition’s reach and profitability.”

Emmert emphasized that the decision to pause further expansion was a deliberate one. “We want to give our stakeholders time to evaluate the long‑term impact of a 70‑team field on scheduling, player welfare, and the competitive balance before any changes are made,” he said.

Why the 68‑Team Field Stays Put Until 2026

The NCAA cited a variety of factors that informed the decision to maintain the status quo through 2026. Some of the key points mentioned in the press release include:

1. Player Health and Welfare
   Coaches and medical staff have expressed concerns about the physical toll of a longer tournament. A larger field would mean additional games, potentially extending the season’s length. “We must prioritize the health of student‑athletes,” Emmert noted.

2. Scheduling Challenges
   Adding more teams would require a re‑thinking of the tournament’s scheduling framework, including the number of First Four games and the total duration of the event. With television contracts already stretched to accommodate the current format, additional games could complicate broadcast agreements.

3. Financial Implications
   While more teams could translate into higher ticket sales and television revenue, the NCAA is also mindful of the costs to schools, especially those in smaller conferences that may struggle to cover travel expenses for a longer postseason.

4. Competitive Balance
   The NCAA worries that a larger field could dilute the competitive quality of the tournament. The “Sweet Sixteen” and “Elite Eight” have traditionally been the highlights, but a 70‑team tournament could shift the focus toward early rounds that some view as less critical.

Future Growth is on the Table

Despite the decision to hold the field at 68 teams until 2026, the NCAA’s press release made it clear that expansion remains a possibility. The organization has set up a committee that will review data from the 2023 and 2024 seasons to evaluate the feasibility of a 70‑team field. The committee will assess the impact on scheduling, player health, and revenue distribution before making any recommendations.

The NCAA’s official website provides a dedicated page for “NCAA Tournament Growth” that outlines the committee’s charter, meeting dates, and the criteria that will be used in the evaluation. According to the page, the committee will hold quarterly virtual meetings and will release a public report in late 2025.

Perspectives from the Basketball Community

• Coaches
  Many coaches are split. “A 70‑team field would give more teams a chance to compete for a championship,” said John Calipari, head coach at Kentucky. “But we also have to consider the extra games and the risk of injuries.”

• Conference Presidents
  The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Big Ten both have members who see the expansion as an opportunity for smaller schools. “More postseason spots mean more exposure and revenue for mid‑majors,” said ACC commissioner David Dixon.

• Broadcasters
  ESPN and CBS Sports, the current primary broadcasters of the NCAA tournament, have long been supportive of the 68‑team format. They cited the “First Four” games as a significant draw for viewers. “Our ratings have shown a spike during the play‑in rounds,” said a spokesperson for ESPN. “We’re happy to continue building on that momentum.”

• Fans
  A recent poll on FanDuel’s sports‑betting platform found that 58% of respondents favored a 70‑team expansion, citing increased excitement and the chance to see their favorite mid‑major schools compete. However, 23% expressed concerns over a potentially over‑saturated tournament and a “loss of drama” in the later rounds.

Economic Impact of the Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is a massive economic engine, generating billions of dollars in revenue. The 68‑team format has already been lucrative, with the NCAA distributing approximately $200 million in postseason revenue to its member institutions for the 2023 season. The expansion to 70 teams could shift the revenue equation, potentially increasing the distribution pool but also raising operational costs.

The NCAA’s financial disclosure documents indicate that the distribution formula is based on a combination of ticket sales, television rights, and sponsorships. Adding two more teams would mean additional revenue streams from more regional broadcasts and increased merchandising opportunities.

Conclusion

The NCAA’s decision to keep the tournament at 68 teams through 2026 reflects a careful balancing act between tradition and innovation. While the expansion to 70 teams remains a topic of active discussion, the NCAA has chosen to prioritize player welfare, scheduling feasibility, and competitive balance in the short term. The committee’s upcoming review will be closely watched by coaches, conferences, broadcasters, and fans alike, as the nation’s favorite college basketball event continues to evolve.

As the 2023 tournament season progresses and data accumulates, the NCAA will provide further insights into whether the tournament’s size will increase or remain unchanged in the near future. For now, the 68‑team field continues to deliver the drama, excitement, and economic benefits that have defined March Madness for over a decade.