NCAA makes decision on March Madness expansion

TL;DR

The NCAA has decided to expand both the men's and women's March Madness tournaments from 68 to 76 teams. This will introduce 12 preliminary games featuring 24 teams in two cities, including Dayton.

Key points

NCAA expands March Madness from 68 to 76 teams
12 preliminary games will feature 24 teams
Dayton and a West Coast city will host the games

NCAA makes decision on March Madness expansion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The decision makers in the NCAA are in the final steps to expand both the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. The expansion will grow the field from 68 teams, including the First Four, to 76 teams, expanding on what is known as the First Four.

How it would play out is that, instead of four games played in Dayton prior to the 64-team field, there will now be 12 games featuring 24 teams played across two cities. Dayton will remain one of the featured cities, with a West Coast city expected to be the second location.

Those 12 games will still be played on the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the Thursday tip-off of the traditional 64-team field, which isn’t expected to change. The expansion adds eight additional teams that would need to play for an at-large bid rather than four.

Leading up to the expansion

Expanding both the men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments has been discussed for over a year, and not just because of the revenue that it would generate, but also because power conferences are expanding.

More:Is Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility at risk? College football insider lays out five questions NCAA will be asking

Officials from the NCAA and their media partners are currently in the final steps of the expansion, with the approval expected sometime in mid-May.

More college football news:

Q&A

What is the new format for the NCAA March Madness tournament?

The new format will feature 76 teams, with 12 preliminary games played in two cities, expanding the First Four from four to 12 games.

When will the expanded March Madness tournament take place?

The expanded tournament will still begin with the traditional 64-team field on the Thursday following the preliminary games, which will occur on the Tuesday and Wednesday prior.

Which cities will host the new preliminary games for March Madness?

Dayton will host one of the preliminary game locations, while a West Coast city is expected to be the second location.