The NCAA has announced that both the men's and women's March Madness tournaments will expand to 76 teams starting next season. This change marks a significant shift in the structure of the postseason basketball events, increasing the number of participating teams.

The expansion is supported by additional games and new alcohol sponsorship deals, which will help fund the broader tournament format. The move aims to enhance opportunities for more teams to compete on the national stage.

Sources: https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/2026-05-07/march-madness-tournaments-will-expand-to-76-teams-each-starting-next-season