Overview
- The NCAA will expand both the men's and women's basketball tournaments to 76 teams for the 2026–27 season.
- The field will feature 32 automatic qualifiers and 44 at-large bids selected by the committee.
- The new format adds a 24-team opening round at two sites with Dayton keeping a host role, and the traditional first round stays unchanged.
- The NCAA estimates the larger event will generate about $131 million in additional revenue for member schools.
- Reaction is split, as St. John's coach Rick Pitino backs the move while critics argue it benefits major conferences and squeezes mid-majors.