Jon Rothstein is happy, to say the least.
The 2026 men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament will both stay at 68 teams, it was announced On Monday.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander wrote that “The choice to keep the tournament static for at least another year is a move guaranteed to be celebrated among sports fans, the majority of whom stand in opposition of increasing the size of March Madness. The NCAA is often prone to significant public relations hits, but in keeping the status quo with its most popular event, it should find widespread praise for as long as the tournament remains at 68 teams.”
Now, this doesn’t mean expansion won’t ever happen. The decision as to what to do in 2027 is still up in the air. Norlander reports that “The committees have thoroughly looked into the logistics, financials and frameworks of going to 72 or 76 teams. At this stage, sources said, the long-term decision is going to ultimately come down to whether to remain at 68 or move to 76; increasing to 72, while not officially off the table, isn’t seen as a worthwhile endeavor and is regarded as a long shot third option.”
In addition, going to 76 teams would bring changes to the NCAA Tournament itself and the selection process. The bubble would be expanded to include teams that may not have the most inspiring resumes.
Regardless, this conversation doesn’t seem to be over any time soon.
NCAA SVP Dan Gavitt on future expansion of the NCAA tournament. pic.twitter.com/LMNhaSWM3j
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) August 4, 2025