It's official: NCAA men's and women's tournaments will expand to 76 teams starting in 2027

The NCAA has officially approved expanding both the men's and women's college basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams, beginning in 2027. The expansion was approved by both selection committees on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and subsequently ratified by the basketball oversight committees and the DI Board of Directors and Board of Governors. The change adds eight additional at-large teams to each tournament, ending months of speculation about whether March Madness would grow in size.