NCAA Basketball Tournaments Remain 68 Teams Through 2026

The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will maintain the current 68-team format for the 2026 season, as confirmed by NCAA senior vice president Dan Gavitt. While expansion is not planned for 2026, discussions are ongoing about potentially increasing the field to 72 or 76 teams for the 2027 championships. NCAA President Charlie Baker has indicated that expanding the tournament could add value and provide opportunities for teams that are currently excluded despite being among the top in the country. The NCAA has engaged in positive conversations with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros., whose broadcasting deal runs through 2032 and generates approximately $1.1 billion annually. The current 68-team format, introduced in 2011 with the addition of the First Four games, remains favored by some coaches, although opinions vary on expansion. Overall, while no immediate change will occur, the possibility of future growth remains under consideration.