The men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are on the cusp of expanding to 76 teams, ESPN reported, in the final stages of a move that has long been rumored. It is set to take place for the 2027 tournament.
The outlet said the expansion is on track to be formalized in May − when it will be officially announced − with media contracts discussions ongoing. It will need approval from the men's and women's basketball committees, the men's and women's basketball oversight committees, the Division I Cabinet and the DI Board of Governors to be finalize.
One of the most divisive topics in college hoops, the conversation surrounding tournament expansion had been picking up steam since 2025, with NCAA president Charlie Baker strongly indicating it would be happening in the near future. The current format of 68 teams has been in use since 2011 for the men's and 2022 for the women's fields.
Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
1 / 37See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebritiesIowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
The expanded tournament won't have much of an effect on the first round, considered one of the best days of the tournament when 32 games take place over a two-day period. However, it will alter who ends up playing those first round games.
Eight more spots will be added into the play-in games, with the men's tournament having a First Four that goes from eight teams in four games to 24 teams playing 12 games to make the first round of the tournament, according to ESPN. Those teams will play for the right to go against teams that have already secured spots in the first round of the tournament.
It's unknown how many of those spots will be allocated to at-large teams, and how many will be automatic qualifiers like the current format, which has four mid-major teams and four at-large squads. There also needs to be a decision on where the games will be played, as the First Four has taken place in Dayton, Ohio since 2011, with the exception of the 2021 edition held in Indianapolis.
While it would add more games to one of the most exciting tournaments in college sports, there are concerns it would water down the postseason, allowing teams with near .500 records a chance to play for a national title despite having lackluster resumes. Also, there's curiosity how many of the new spots will go to teams from Power conferences as opposed to quality mid-major candidates.
“It's become stacked against mid majors now. Whether that's been the purpose of those who oversee the system or not is unclear to me, but with the way that they're deciding the tournament bids now, it's virtually impossible,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner told USA TODAY Sports in July. “I don't see that changing if they let more teams in. I think they let more teams in, they're just going to end up letting more power conference teams in.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament about to expand to 76 teams. What will it look like?