The NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments will expand to 76 teams starting with the 2027 season [1].
This expansion represents a significant shift in the postseason structure designed to increase revenue and provide more games for fans and broadcasters [1, 2, 3].
The decision followed a vote on Thursday, May 7, 2026 [2]. Under the new format, the tournament field will increase by eight teams [2]. This brings the total number of participants to 76 [1].
To accommodate the larger field, the NCAA will introduce a 24-team opening round [2, 3]. In this phase, 24 of the 76 teams will compete to advance further into the bracket [2]. This structure allows the organization to maintain the core of the tournament while integrating more programs into the competition.
The move is primarily driven by financial considerations. By adding more games to the schedule, the NCAA expects a revenue boom from increased ticket sales and broadcasting rights [1, 2]. These additional funds are expected to flow through the organization's distribution channels.
While the specific seedings for the opening round have not been detailed, the expansion ensures that more schools have a path to the championship. The change will apply equally to both the men's and women's Division I tournaments [1, 2].
“The tournaments will expand to 76 teams, adding a 24-team opening round.”
The expansion of the tournament field signals a transition toward a more inclusive but commercially driven postseason. By adding an opening round, the NCAA is maximizing the inventory of games available for media partners, which increases the overall valuation of broadcasting contracts while providing mid-major programs more opportunities for national exposure.
