The NCAA Tournament, which has grown from 53 teams to 68 in recent years, is now considering expanding its field even further. During a meeting on Wednesday, NCAA officials presented Division I conference commissioners with two different models for increasing the tournament’s size to either 72 or 76 teams. If approved, these changes would not take effect until the 2025-26 season.
The potential expansion comes as a response to several factors, including the financial implications of the recent House v. NCAA decision and concerns about the distribution of at-large bids under the current structure. With realignment happening in major conferences like the Big 12, ACC, SEC, and Big Ten in 2024-25, there is a need to ensure that smaller leagues are still given auto bids while providing more opportunities for larger conferences.
Expanding the tournament field could also provide a solution to generating more revenue. While many argue that this move is primarily about making money, there is no denying that adding more teams would attract even more fans and increase viewership ratings. However, some critics argue that expanding too quickly could lead to diluting the quality of play and reducing the prestige of winning a championship title.
As Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark stated in May to CBS Sports, there may be opportunities to enhance the NCAA Tournament by providing more access and tweaking the format slightly. While he emphasized that any changes should be carefully evaluated periodically to ensure they continue to evolve and improve, he acknowledged that expanding the tournament field could be an excellent way to maintain its status as an incredible sporting event that attracts fans of all kinds.
