ACC Approves 18-Game Men's Basketball Schedule for 2025-26

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will revert to an 18-game men's basketball conference schedule beginning with the 2025-26 season, ending its six-year run of 20 conference games. The decision follows a season where only four ACC teams secured NCAA Tournament berths, prompting concerns about the league's national basketball profile. By reducing conference games, ACC teams will have more flexibility to schedule high-profile nonconference matchups, which could improve their NCAA tournament resumes and overall perception. The move was approved by athletic directors after consultations with coaches, external consultants, and television partners, and is part of a broader strategy to enhance ACC men's basketball through improved scheduling, marketing, and incentive programs. While details about specific matchups and television programming are still being finalized, the change aims to give member schools greater autonomy and potentially strengthen the conference's representation in future tournaments.