NCAA basketball tournaments to expand to 76 teams as power conferences push for structural reform
The move, driven by power conferences seeking more at-large bids, involves adding eight men's at-large spots and expanding the First Four to 24 teams across two sites.
Sources indicate the NCAA is finalising steps to expand both men's and women's basketball tournaments to 76 teams, a move expected to be formalised in the upcoming weeks and begin this coming season. While the NCAA previously stated that no final recommendations or decisions had been made, sources tell ESPN that the process has initiated the final steps required to implement the change.
The expansion is driven primarily by power conferences seeking increased access to at-large bids rather than financial gain. The men's tournament will see eight additional at-large bids, a shift that alters the entry point for these teams, meaning they will play earlier in the tournament than in the current 64-team format. This structural adjustment reflects a governance decision prioritising conference representation over the traditional bracket structure.
The "First Four" play-in round will expand from eight teams playing four games to 24 teams playing 12 games across two sites. One site is expected to remain in Dayton, Ohio, while the new site is anticipated to be located west of the Eastern time zone to assist with logistics. The traditional 64-team bracket will commence on Thursday as usual, but the inclusion of more at-large teams will necessitate earlier qualification rounds.
Financial projections suggest a modest profit to cover additional logistics costs and tournament units, rather than a significant windfall. The added finances are intended to offset the higher operational expenses incurred by the expanded format, ensuring the tournament remains financially viable without delivering a major surplus to the organisation or its members.
Final approval requires signed media contracts and votes from multiple NCAA committees, including the Division I board of governors. Although sources describe the remaining committee approvals as "formalities," the NCAA has not officially confirmed that all necessary votes will pass, and the specific timeline for the official announcement remains tentative, with mid-May cited as a potential date.
Discussions regarding the expansion have been ongoing for over a year, and the mechanics involve significant logistical shifts for the tournament structure. The NCAA officials met with media partners last week to finalise contracts, though these have not yet been signed, leaving the formalisation of the expansion pending until the end of the current month.
