NCAA Tournament expansion, explained: What we know about 76-team March Madness bracket in ‘final steps’ for 2027

Changes appear imminent on the college basketball front. On Tuesday, the NCAA inched closer to expanding the NCAA Tournament to 76 total teams, and it now seems as though change is imminent.

The tournament traditionally began with 68 teams, eight of which played in the “First Four,” with the winners moving on to the Round of 64 — or, as it is colloquially known, “opening weekend.” Now, the event is set to open with 24 teams in the preliminary round, with 12 winners moving on to the opening weekend.

Here is the latest on the tournament’s planned expansion and what it means for the field.

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NCAA Tournament expansion, explained:

On Tuesday evening, ESPN reported that the NCAA has initiated the final process of expanding the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments to 76 teams.

The tournament's new format will involve 52 teams automatically receiving bids from a conference tournament title or at large. To complement this, the remaining 24 teams will play in a modified preliminary round that was formerly known as the First Four. 

It remains to be seen whether the league follows through, but early reports indicate there is enough momentum to get this done in the coming weeks. Only the tournament’s preliminary round would feature a field expanded to 76 teams; after the first 12 games, the tournament would begin in earnest with the traditional Round of 64.

When will the first 76-team NCAA Tournament take place

According to CBS Sports, the NCAA is in talks of beginning this new format at next year's tournament, meaning the first 76-team bracket will be unveiled in March of 2026. 

It remains to be seen whether the league follows through, but early reports indicate there is enough momentum to get this done in the coming weeks. Only the tournament’s preliminary round would feature a field expanded to 76 teams; after the first 12 games, the tournament would begin in earnest with the traditional Round of 64.

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New NCAA format

The main changes come ahead of the First Four round. Traditionally, eight teams battled for the final four spots in the main NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

Under the proposed changes, the preliminary round would expand to 12 games featuring 24 teams at two sites, one of which would still be Dayton, which has traditionally hosted the play-in games. While 56 teams previously received bids into March Madness either via a conference tournament win or an at-large selection, only 52 teams would automatically punch their tickets under the new format.

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 16, 2026

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When will the expanded NCAA Tournament become official?

According to Matt Norlander, a senior editor and analyst at CBS Sports, the NCAA is expected to pass this new format for the Men's and Women's tournaments in May.

The men's + women's NCAA Tournaments are expected to formally pass approval for expansion to 76 teams in May, sources told CBS Sports. The move to 76 would mean 52 teams would auto-slot into the main bracket and 12 games for 24 teams Tues/Wed for a rebuilt opening round. Story TK

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 28, 2026

Under the new format, 52 teams will automatically receive tournament bids, and 24 teams will play in the modified preliminary round to determine the final 12 spots in the NCAA Tournament.

How many D1 college basketball teams are there?

There are 361 schools that are full members of 31 Division I basketball conferences, and four more that are in transition from NCAA Division II and are members of Division I conferences.

Across the country, there are 31 conferences for Division I basketball.

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