NCAA Confirms No March Madness Expansion for 2026

The NCAA has confirmed that the men's and women's basketball tournaments will not expand beyond the current 68-team format for the 2026 season, putting on hold plans to increase the field to 72 or 76 teams. Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, stated that while expansion for 2026 is off the table, discussions about potential expansion for the 2027 championships will continue. Logistical challenges, including scheduling within a tight calendar and maintaining competitive balance, remain key concerns in the expansion debate. NCAA president Charlie Baker and other officials had previously indicated a potential expansion could happen as soon as 2026, but recent developments and conference feedback have delayed any immediate changes. The expansion conversation includes considerations about how to fairly include more mid-major programs versus power conference teams. Overall, the NCAA intends to carefully evaluate these factors before making any future adjustments to March Madness.