NCAA to expand basketball tournaments to 76 teams in upcoming season
The NCAA is finalising plans to expand both the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments to 76 teams ahead of the upcoming season.
A formal announcement regarding the format change is expected by mid-May.
Discussions surrounding the enlarged brackets have been ongoing for over a year, driven primarily by the recent expansion of major athletic conferences.
While formal committee approvals and media contracts are still pending, insiders consider the remaining bureaucratic hurdles to be a mere formality.
“They have what they need to move forward.”
New format and tournament mechanics
The expansion will create eight additional at-large bids for the men’s competition.
Consequently, the preliminary stage will undergo a significant logistical overhaul.
Key changes to the early tournament structure include:
- The opening round will grow from four games to 12.
- A total of 24 teams will compete across two different geographic locations.
- Tuesday and Wednesday schedules will feature more traditional at-large qualifiers.
Dayton, Ohio is expected to retain its hosting duties alongside an undetermined new site located further west to assist with travel logistics.
Despite the earlier start, the traditional 64-team main bracket will continue to commence on its customary Thursday schedule.
Financial impact and administrative approval
Generating a massive financial windfall is not the primary objective of this structural shift for the collegiate governing body.
The additional revenue generated by the expanded broadcasting contracts will primarily cover increased operational costs.
However, officials still anticipate a modest financial upside once the new agreements are formally signed.
Final ratification will require signatures from multiple oversight bodies, including the Division I Cabinet and the Board of Governors.