NCAA Set To Expand Basketball Season to 32 Games

The NCAA Division I Council is expected to approve raising the regular season cap for men’s and women’s college basketball from 31 to 32 games starting in the 2026-27 season. This marks the first expansion of the regular season game limit in nearly two decades. The change addresses logistical challenges from conference realignment and multi-team event scheduling, and is designed to give programs more flexibility for arranging high-profile non-conference matchups. Schools are not required to play all 32 games, but most are likely to use the additional opportunity, with all games—including those against non-Division I opponents—counting toward the cap. The expansion also presents new revenue opportunities through ticket sales, sponsorships, and television rights. Coaches and fans largely support the move, and further increases to the cap are being considered for the future.