NCAA Tournament Expected to Expand to 76 Teams

The proposed format change would add 8 more teams to the field and modify the First Four round.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the NCAA is expected to finalize an expansion of the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments to 76 teams soon after this year's March Madness. The proposed format would see the First Four round, now called the opening round, feature 24 teams playing in 12 games over two days at two sites, with the 12 winners then joining the other 52 teams in the original 64-team bracket.

Why it matters

Expanding the NCAA Tournament field has been a topic of discussion among conference leaders, with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and officials from the Big 12 and ACC reportedly pushing for the change. The goal is to increase the number of teams that make the tournament, which could lead to higher TV ratings and more excitement around the event.

The details

The reported 76-team format would add 8 more at-large bids to the tournament, with the First Four round now featuring 24 teams in 12 games over two days at two sites. The 12 winners of those opening round games would then join the other 52 teams in the original 64-team bracket. This would mean 8 teams are extracted from the main bracket to make room for the new at-large selections.

  • The NCAA is expected to finalize the expansion plans soon after this year's March Madness tournament.

The players

Greg Sankey

The SEC commissioner, who previously expressed openness to discussing tournament expansion.

Ross Dellenger

The Yahoo Sports reporter who broke the story about the expected NCAA Tournament expansion.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Leaders at the Big 12 and the ACC have aggressively pushed for tournament expansion”

— Ross Dellenger, Yahoo Sports reporter

What’s next

The NCAA is expected to finalize the expansion plans soon after this year's March Madness tournament, barring any unforeseen obstacles.

The takeaway

The proposed expansion of the NCAA Tournament to 76 teams reflects the desire of conference leaders and television networks to increase the number of teams that make the tournament, which could lead to higher ratings and more excitement around the event. However, the average fan may not see the change as positively, as it could dilute the exclusivity and prestige of making the tournament field.