NCAA basketball tournaments expanding to 76 teams for 2027

TL;DR

The NCAA basketball tournaments will expand from 68 to 76 teams starting in 2027, adding eight at-large bids. This change will also introduce a new 'First Twelve' round, affecting mid-major programs and tournament dynamics.

Key points

NCAA basketball tournaments expanding to 76 teams in 2027
Introduction of a 'First Twelve' round with 24 teams
Eight new at-large bids will be added to the tournaments
Mid-major programs will face increased competition for spots
Las Vegas is a potential venue for the new round

Mentioned in this story

NCAALas Vegas

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 17: Paul McNeil Jr. #2 of the NC State Wolfpack shoots the ball against Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 17, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images The First Four in Dayton is now but quaint memory as we careen head-on into the brand new Mediocrity Mega Mania era, a sprawling NIT Lite of a play-in to the NCAA tournament that will include not eight but 24 teams. You didn’t ask for it, and baby, you got it. This is the result of the NCAA’s impending decision to expand the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from 68 to 76, which according to reports yesterday is all but done and will be implemented for 2027. On the men’s side, at least, all eight new spots will be at-large bids. No longer must we suffer the painful what-ifs that come when a 16-15 SEC team is excluded from the field. The math requires a move from the First Four to the, er, First Twelve, which will also require a second venue to host games on Tuesday and Wednesday of the first round. (Las Vegas appears to be the favorite at this point.) Only 52 teams will be guaranteed a spot in the proper 64-team field on Selection Sunday, and this naturally will come at the expense of mid-major programs. To balance the eight extra at-larges, mid-major auto-qualifiers that would have otherwise been in the main draw will be forced to fight for those spots. Not that anybody running the power conferences cares about that. The tournament will be much worse for this, and they’re just shifting the post-Selection Sunday complaining down a tier, but on the bright side, the power conferences get to make slightly more money, and that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Why not jeopardize a popular, singular event so a few additional mediocre teams with mediocre coaches can feel good about themselves for 48 hours?

Q&A

What is the reason for the NCAA basketball tournament expansion to 76 teams?

The expansion aims to include more at-large bids, allowing for greater participation from teams that might otherwise be excluded.

How will the new 'First Twelve' round work in the NCAA basketball tournament?

The 'First Twelve' round will feature 24 teams, with games hosted in a second venue, likely Las Vegas, on Tuesday and Wednesday before the main tournament.

What impact will the tournament expansion have on mid-major programs?

Mid-major programs will face tougher competition for fewer guaranteed spots, as some auto-qualifiers will now have to compete for at-large bids.