The NCAA is moving forward with plans to expand both its men's and women's basketball tournaments from 64 teams to 76 teams, with formal approval potentially coming as soon as next month and implementation possible before the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN reporting citing sources familiar with the discussions.
The expansion proposal marks a significant structural change to collegiate basketball's marquee postseason events. Michigan's men's basketball team secured its first national title in more than 30 years earlier this month, and one day earlier UCLA's women's team claimed its first NCAA Tournament crown—both teams powered through the current 64-team bracket format that has defined the tournaments for decades.
The Expansion Framework
Under the proposed expansion, the First Four—currently featuring eight teams across four games—would grow to 12 games involving 24 teams. The men's tournament would add eight at-large bids to the existing structure. Of the 76 total teams, 24 would compete in the First Four on Tuesday and Wednesday, with eight teams that would have previously made the customary bracket now facing eight new at-large teams. The main 64-team bracket would still tip off Thursday with little change to its traditional format.
Expansion discussions have been on the table for more than a year, and the latest step could pave the way for formal approval. Several hurdles remain with NCAA committees before any changes can become official, but a source told ESPN the remaining steps are merely "formalities." An NCAA spokesperson told OutKick's Trey Wallace, "Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men's and women's basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time."
Financial and Media Considerations
Media rights deals remain unfinished, and signed contracts will likely be needed before the men's and women's basketball committees, oversight groups and other parties move forward. ESPN reported that NCAA officials have recently engaged in discussions with key media partners to finalize these agreements.
While the financial framework for expansion is still unclear, costs are expected to rise with more teams traveling and competing. However, a source told ESPN the plan could still ultimately produce profit and a "modest financial upside," suggesting the expansion could be financially viable despite increased operational expenses.
Expansion discussions appear to be fueled more by the push for at-large bids for power conferences than by financial considerations. Many leagues have added a considerable number of schools under the current agreement, creating pressure for additional tournament slots.
Why This Matters:
The NCAA tournament expansion represents a significant institutional decision that will reshape postseason basketball competition and affect revenue distribution across collegiate athletics. The proposal's advancement through committee stages reflects how power conference demands are reshaping tournament structure—a shift that could have long-term implications for mid-major programs and smaller conferences competing for tournament access. The unfinished media rights deals underscore that financial arrangements remain uncertain despite projections of "modest financial upside," meaning the NCAA is proceeding with structural changes before fully understanding their economic impact. The expansion's timing before the 2026-27 season means implementation could occur quickly once formal approval occurs, with limited opportunity for stakeholders to assess consequences. How the additional 12 at-large bids are distributed among conferences will determine whether this expansion primarily benefits power conference programs or creates genuine new opportunities for broader participation.