NCAA keeps March Madness at 68 teams for 2026

The NCAA announced Monday the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments will remain at 68 teams.

The decision was made on a joint Zoom call between the Division I men’s and women’s basketball committees Monday afternoon, according to CBS Sports.

“Expanding the tournament is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships,” NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said in a statement.

The vote is seen as a massive win among college basketball circles and fans.

The committees held three options on the table: 68, 72 and 76 teams. A source told CBS Sports 68 and 76 teams were the two most likely scenarios long term. The discussion centered around the logistics, financials and frameworks of the larger tournaments.

So, we are not out of the woods, yet.

“The committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships,” Gavitt said.

The 2025 men’s and women’s tournaments saw minimal participation from the mid-major ranks. Each tournament had just two mid-major conference receive multiple bids.

On the men’s side, four Mountain West teams made the field and two from the WCC (which includes Gonzaga, so really just one of our WCC teams). The women’s tourney featured a record three Ivy League teams and a pair from the Atlantic 10.

The men’s tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams for the 2011 tournament. VCU played in the First Four and Final Four in the first year of the expanded field. The women’s tournament jumped from 64 to 68 in 2022.

For at least one more year, we will have the greatest spectacle in sports in tact. For all those wondering, Selection Sunday is March 15, 2026. We’ll see you there 68 teams.