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NCAA Announces Men's And Women's March Madness Expansion
TL;DR
The NCAA will expand the men's and women's March Madness tournaments from 68 to 76 teams starting in 2027, adding eight at-large bids.
Key points
- NCAA announces March Madness expansion
- Men's and women's tournaments to grow from 68 to 76 teams
- Eight at-large bids will be added
- Expansion takes effect in 2027
College basketball
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College basketball will have more March Madness games to pick next year.
The NCAA announced Thursday that the men's and women's basketball tournament fields will increase from 68 to 76 teams. Eight at-large bids will join the fold in 2027.
"Expanding the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships is the right decision for the student-athletes and programs that will now have access to the greatest events in college sports," Board of Directors Chair and Virginia Tech president Tim Sands said in the NCAA announcement. "As NCAA leaders, we are especially excited to provide additional, highly competitive games for fans who look forward to March Madness every year."
March Madness expansion will yield more First Four games. The 12 lowest automatic qualifiers and 12 lowest at-large teams will play in the opening round, which previously consisted of four games.
Six will take place in Dayton, which has traditionally hosted a pair of First Four doubleheaders. The site of the other games remains undetermined.
The winners of those dozen First Four matchups will advance to the Round of 64.
"March Madness is the best postseason in all of sports, and this new format will continue that legacy by producing even more compelling games for fans and student-athletes," Sun Belt Conference commissioner andĀ Division I Men's Basketball Committee Chair Keith Gill said.
The news marks the first increase to the men's NCAA tournament bracket since adding three teams in 2011. The women's field, which started at 32 teams in 1982, went from 64 to 68 teams in 2022.
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Q&A
What is the new format for the March Madness tournaments?
The new format will increase the tournament fields from 68 to 76 teams, including eight at-large bids.
When will the March Madness expansion take effect?
The expansion will take effect in 2027.
How many additional teams will participate in March Madness?
An additional eight teams will participate in the March Madness tournaments due to the expansion.
