The NCAA men's basketball tournament is set to expand from 68 to 76 teams, according to a report by the Associated Press on October 29, 2026. The new format would add eight additional teams to the field, potentially altering the structure of the annual March Madness event. Details on how the extra teams will be selected and how the bracket will be adjusted have not yet been released. The expansion marks the first major change to the tournament size since 2011, when the field grew to 68 teams.
NCAA Tournament to Expand to 76 Teams, Associated Press Reports
