Big 12 to keep 18-game basketball schedule in 2027, leaves door open to 20
May 28, 2026, 11:34 AM | Updated: May 29, 2026, 9:41 am
BYU and Utah compete in a Big 12 basketball game. (Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
FRISCO, Texas – Men’s basketball is the top-performing sport in the Big 12 Conference portfolio.
When you have a great product, why not consider more games?
The Big 12 Conference discussed the possibility of a return to 20-game conference schedules during its annual spring meetings.
However, the league will remain at 18 league games for the 2026-27 season.
Big 12 basketball schedule will be 18 games in 2026-27; possibility of 20 in the future
“It certainly won’t be this year. We’re already in the scheduling process as it is right now, and it’d be impossible to make an about-face on that as it currently stands,” said Big 12 Chief Basketball Official Brian Thornton to KSL Sports.
The Big 12 had a 20-game schedule during the 2024-25 season. It lasted only one year before reverting back to an 18-game schedule this past season.
Driving potential 20-game schedule? Media rights
The biggest driver in a potential 20-game league schedule would be for media rights.
One of the themes this week in Frisco is that the Big 12 already has its eye on its next media rights. That plays a part in the exploration of a possible return to a 20-game schedule.
“It is something that we’re exploring,” Thornton said. “When we say we’re exploring it, it doesn’t mean we’ve made a decision today; we’re trying to figure out how to continue creating value. How to continue to build our conference and prepare for our 2030 media opportunities.”
Last season, 24 men’s Big 12 basketball games had over 1 million viewers. The viewership during Big 12 play was up 20% in the 2025-26 season, compared to the previous year.
“The one thing that we do know is that our conference games are really, really good, and they rate really, really well,” said Thornton. “So, exploring the possibility of having more of those is a good thing. Now, there are certainly reasons that we may not do it, but when you look at it from that position, how do we get the best product on the floor more often? It’s something we certainly have to look at.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
