NCAA Tournament set to expand to 76 teams. What will it look like?

March Madness is about to get bigger.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kansas Jayhawks cheerleaders perform before a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the St. John’s Red Storm at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, Calif.

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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.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ncaa-tournament-set-expand-76-222752465.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-28 22:27:00

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