Report: NCAA expected to expand March Madness tournament to 76 teams

According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the NCAA is expected to “finalize an expansion” of March Madness after the conclusion of this year’s tournament.

The reported move would add eight teams to both the men’s and women’s tournaments, set to compete in the opening round that is now known as the First Four.

The NCAA is expected to finalize an expansion of the men’s and women’s tournaments to 76 teams soon after the completion of this year’s March Madness tournament, per Yahoo Sports’ @RossDellenger.

Barring something unforeseen, “it will happen,” a high-placed source told… pic.twitter.com/qBQKdfR9Q7

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 3, 2026

The topic of expansion in the NCAA Tournament is controversial, as many see no reason to mess with the magic that college hoops in March bring.

On the other hand, it brings more basketball and, of course, more money.

If approved, the timing of the change would be somewhat ironic, as the topic of expanding the tournament came up last year and was swiftly shot down.

BREAKING: The NCAA voted today to keep March Madness at 68 teams for the 2025-26 season.

Expansion for 2027 and beyond remains up for debate. pic.twitter.com/mwp0eLvpD7

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 4, 2025

Yahoo Sports’ article on the reported tournament expansion explains that the First Four would turn into a First 12, with the 12 winners advancing into the bracket where 54 other college programs await their arrival.

As with most major changes, the effects would extend beyond the obvious increase in games. Worries over more power conference favoritism, more early mismatches, and a devalued regular season are all valid.

These, among other concerns, are what have stopped this process in the past. The last format change to the NCAA Tournament came in 2011, and before that, in 2001.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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