March Madness bracket by conference: SEC beats out Big Ten for most bids in 2026 NCAA Tournament

With the NCAA Tournament just days away, it's time to start diving into the teams that will be present at this year's tournament.

There are 68 teams invited to the tournament, but one conference stands alone with the most bids. The SEC has repeated as the conference with the most tourney-teams this year with 10. Last year, the conference broke a tournament record with the most bids in NCAA history, with 14 of its 16 teams qualifying for the tourney.

While they were unable to match last year's mark, they still are at the top of the pecking order across all conferences. The Big Ten is right there with them, as they tallied nine bids to this year's tournament. In recent history, the SEC and Big Ten virtually always boast the most bids, and this year is no different.

Last year, the Florida Gators became the first team since 2017 to win the national championship coming from the conference with the most bids (North Carolina: ACC). Here is how the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket has shaped up, divided by conference.

MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | Full TV schedule | Printable bracket

March Madness bids by conference 2026

This year, the SEC led the way with 10 bids. Right behind them is the Big Ten with nine. Following them are the ACC and Big 12, tied with eight bids to this year's tournament. After that, the Big East and West Coast conferences are tied with three bids apiece. Rounding out the multi-bid conferences are the Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic 10, with two bids each. 

Here is a complete list of the conferences with multiple bids for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

SEC

Another strong conference showing, another year as the conference with the most bids. The SEC has grown accustomed to leading the NCAA Tournament field in bids, and this year is no different with a tournament-leading 10 bids. No. 1-seeded Florida repeats as a top dog in their region, after winning it all in last year’s tournament. Arkansas and Vanderbilt have also finished the year strong as the two SEC tournament finalists, with Alabama hot on their trail. The SEC should be subject to widespread success in this year’s tournament.

Here's a look at the SEC's NCAA Tournament teams:

Big Ten

The Big Ten follows the SEC with an impressive showing in this year’s tournament with nine bids. Michigan (No. 1), Purdue (No. 2), and Michigan State (No. 3) will all look to cruise forward in the tournament. Purdue should have some momentum after their Big Ten championship against the Wolverines, but Michigan could be even hungrier in the tournament now. The Nebraska Cornhuskers, seeded No. 4, will be looking to win their first NCAA Tournament game against Troy.

Here's a look at the Big Ten's NCAA Tournament teams:

ACC

The top-seeded Duke Blue Devils have been recipients of a top-notch year from eventual NBA lottery pick Cameron Boozer. The Sporting News’ Player of the Year showed why he ranks among the country’s best and will look to carry Duke even further in this year’s tournament. No. 3 Virginia also looks to be on a collision course with the Big Ten’s Iowa State in the Sweet 16, which may turn out to be one of the tournament’s best games. Clemson has lost some steam to close out the year after losing six of their last 10 games.

Here's a look at the ACC's NCAA Tournament teams:

SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year

Big 12

Arizona will headline a strong showing from the Big 12 this year. The Wildcats, Houston and Iowa State are all seeded No. 2 or higher, and will be looking to make some commotion in this year’s tournament. One of the main storylines coming out of the conference this season has been Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and his availability (or lack thereof) throughout the year. The Jayhawks will need him present and playing in order to stand a chance of survival. 

Here's a look at the Big 12's NCAA Tournament teams:

Big East

While the Big East isn’t as strong as it once was, the conference does have a chance to surprise some people. UConn (No. 2) and St. John’s (No. 5) both sit in the East region and will be looking to rebound after lackluster 2025 NCAA Tournament campaigns where they both fell in the Round of 32. Villanova is seeded at No. 8 this year and will face No. 9 Utah State in the opening round.

Here's a look at the Big East's NCAA Tournament teams:

West Coast

Mark Few and Gonzaga have been seeded as a No. 3 in this year’s tournament, along with appearing in every tournament since 1999. Joining them from their conference are St. Mary’s (no. 7) and Santa Clara (no. 10). Santa Clara, the alma mater of Steve Nash, has made their first NCAA tournament in 30 years, and has drawn the Kentucky Wildcats in the no. 7 vs. 10 matchup. Expect them not to go down without a fight.

Here's a look at the West Coast's NCAA Tournament teams:

Mid-American

Despite finishing at 31-1, Miami (Ohio) lost a bit of wind behind its sails ahead of this year’s tournament. The team lost its first game of the season last week against UMass in the Mid-Atlantic tournament. The RedHawks battled through criticism about their legitimacy for the entire season, and that loss didn’t help the debate. They will play in the First Four round against SMU. Joining them in this year’s tournament will be the 12-seeded Akron Zips, who were the betting favorites to win the Mid-Atlantic tournament despite Miami’s undefeated season. Akron will face a tough Texas Tech team in the Round of 64.

Here's a look at the Mid-American's NCAA Tournament teams:

Atlantic 10

Rounding out the conferences with multiple bids is the Atlantic 10, with St. Louis and VCU earning nods to this year’s tourney. St. Louis is equipped with college basketball fan favorite Robbie Avila and will have many eyes watching them this season. VCU took the crown in this year’s A-10 tournament, which guaranteed them a 21st time around in the NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2011, Shaka Smart and the Rams made it all the way to the Final Four before their first loss.

Here's a look at the Atlantic 10's NCAA Tournament teams:

Most teams ever in March Madness by conference

In 2025, the SEC broke the 14-year record from the old Big East with 11 of the conference's 16 teams receiving bids to the NCAA Tournament. Last year, 14 of the SEC's 16 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Last year, the Florida Gators won the national championship over Houston, 65-63. It was the first time since 2017 that a conference with the most bids had a champion since 2017 with the ACC's North Carolina. UNC prevailed over Gonzaga, 71-65, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Kemba Walker also led the 2011 UConn Huskies to a national championship by edging out the Kentucky Wildcats 56-55 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Prior to UNC's 2017 win, the Huskies were the latest team to win after their conference led the field with most bids.

HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5