NCAA approves structural overhaul of Division I basketball tournament for 2026-27 season
Committees unanimously vote to replace the First Four with a 12-game preliminary round, adding eight at-large bids and re-seeding automatic qualifiers
The NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball committees have unanimously approved a significant structural change to the tournament format, expanding the field from 68 to 76 teams for the 2026-27 season. This decision marks the first major overhaul of the tournament structure since the 1980s, ending a period of stability that saw the event operate in 64, 65, or 68-team configurations for over four decades.
The new format introduces an "Opening Round" consisting of 12 games, which replaces the previous "First Four" play-in tournament. Under this revised structure, the 12 worst-seeded automatic qualifiers will participate in the preliminary round rather than just the four lowest-seeded teams. This change necessitates a re-seeding of the field, resulting in eight No. 16 seeds and six No. 15 seeds, while the new at-large bids will be assigned seeds of 11, 12, or 13 depending on their hierarchy relative to the automatic qualifiers.
To accommodate the expansion, the total number of automatic bids will increase to 32, with the selection committees awarding 44 at-large bids. The 24 teams participating in the Opening Round will advance to a traditional 64-team bracket, meaning that 32 per cent of the total field will play in the preliminary round. CBS Sports projections indicate that the five high-major leagues—the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC, and Big East—are expected to secure all eight new at-large spots.
Logistical adjustments include the establishment of a second preliminary site in addition to Dayton, Ohio. While Dayton has historically hosted the "First Four," the new format will see opening-round action split between Dayton and a second location situated west of the Eastern time zone. Games will be played over two days, with six matches occurring on the Tuesday following Selection Sunday and six on the subsequent Wednesday.
The expansion is championed by commissioners of major conferences, including those from the SEC and ACC, to accommodate the return of the Pac-12 conference and increase representation for high-major leagues. The initiative aims to provide a safety net for programs that may not win their league tournaments, theoretically allowing teams from leagues such as the American, WCC, and Mountain West to benefit from the additional at-large opportunities.
Following the approval, the NCAA faces remaining bureaucratic steps before the changes become official, though these are viewed as formalities on the path to implementation. The shift effectively creates a larger bracket that alters the seeding landscape, with teams such as Illinois-Chicago and St. Thomas potentially moving down to No. 15 seeds to make room for the expanded field.
