March Madness: NCAA Tournament, Men's and Women's, Will Expand to 76 Teams

May 7, 2026 - 19:37

The NCAA has officially approved an expansion of its premier basketball tournaments, increasing the field for both the men's and women's March Madness events to 76 teams beginning next season. The move marks the first significant change to the tournament structure since the women's bracket grew to 68 teams in 2022, while the men's side has remained at 68 since 2011.

Under the new format, the First Four will be replaced by a broader opening round. The four extra teams will be added to the at-large pool, meaning more bubble teams will get a chance to dance. The change was driven by a desire to increase access and generate additional revenue, though critics argue it could dilute the quality of the field. The NCAA Division I Council voted on the measure after months of discussions among conference commissioners and athletic directors.

The expansion will also affect scheduling, with the tournament likely starting a day earlier to accommodate the additional games. For the women's tournament, which has seen a surge in popularity following record viewership in recent years, the extra slots could help smaller conferences secure more bids. The men's tournament, already a massive financial engine for the NCAA, will see its television rights deals adjusted accordingly.

Both tournaments will retain their single-elimination format and regional site structure. The change takes effect for the 2025-2026 season, giving teams and broadcasters time to adjust. While some purists lament the move away from the traditional 68-team bracket, the NCAA emphasized that the expansion keeps March Madness competitive while opening doors for more programs.