Indianapolis, IN – The NCAA has confirmed that the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will not be expanding beyond 68 teams this season. During a recent announcement, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, Dan Gavitt, stated that discussions around potential expansions have not led to any changes for the upcoming tournaments in 2026. However, the idea of increasing the number of participating teams to 72 or 76 remains open for future examination.
“Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships,” said Gavitt. He also mentioned that the committees will continue evaluating the potential for growth in anticipation of the 2027 championships.
Talks of expansion gained momentum earlier this spring, especially following comments from NCAA president Charlie Baker. Baker pointed out that the biggest challenge for expanding the tournament is logistics. The tournament must start only after all conference championships conclude, and with Selection Sunday taking place shortly after the last game, there isn’t much room for adjustment. Baker added, “Any expansion, we’re going to have to figure out how to put it in and then logistically how to make it work.”
Expanding the tournament could provide more opportunities for deserving teams, as Baker indicated. He noted that currently, some of the top teams in the country miss out on selection. Moving from 68 to 72 or 76 teams might offer those teams a chance to showcase their abilities in the tournament.
Coaches have varying opinions about expansion. While some like Tom Izzo and Nate Oats are happy with the current 68-team format, others, including Sean Miller from Texas, believe that expansion could enhance the competitiveness of the tournament. “I think adding depth to that will only make what’s already good even better,” Miller stated.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey revealed that while the league supports exploring expansion, it is important to consider financial and logistical factors before making any decisions. Similarly, Kansas coach Bill Self mentioned a preference for expansion among Big 12 coaches, although he acknowledged the challenge of finding an equitable solution for all schools involved.
As discussions continue, fans and teams will be watching closely to see if the NCAA moves forward with potential changes for future tournaments, keeping the excitement alive for what is already one of the most thrilling events in sports.
