Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Aug 5: The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will stick to the 68-team format through 2026, but talks of expansion beyond that remain active, the association confirmed on Monday.

“Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men's and women's basketball championships,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships.”

NCAA President Charlie Baker has signaled interest in the idea, saying it could offer more opportunities to top programs that narrowly miss the current cut. “You’re going to have a bunch of teams among the best 68 or 70 that won’t make it. Expansion helps give some of those schools a chance,” Baker said earlier this year.

The NCAA tournament last expanded in 2011, from 64 to 68 teams, adding the “First Four” play-in round. Baker noted flaws in the current formula and said the association has had “good conversations” with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery. The current broadcasting deal runs through 2032 and is valued at approximately $1.1 billion annually.

Coaches across major conferences remain divided. While Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and UConn’s Dan Hurley prefer the 68-team setup, Texas coach Sean Miller said he supports expansion. “Never before has the tournament felt more even… I think adding depth will only make what’s already good even better,” he told CBS Sports.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey also supports exploration. “We back expansion, but you just don’t jump into it,” he said at a recent media event.

Big 12 coaches, according to Kansas head coach Bill Self, also appear open to the idea. “The consensus among the coaches, even though it was very little, would be in favor of that,” Self said.

While the field won’t change in 2026, the momentum behind expansion signals that the March Madness bracket may look different by 2027.