NCAA president Charlie Baker says NCAA Tournament expansion could still happen in time for 2026.
Baker made new comments regarding potential expansion on Thursday, saying 72 and 76-team models are still being evaluated. However, he hopes an expanded NCAA Tournament format will be finalized sooner rather than later.
“That would be the goal, to try and do this for next year,” Baker said. “We’ve been talking about 72 and 76.”
NCAA president Charlie Baker said one of his top priorities here at the Big 12 spring meetings was to discuss expanding March Madness, which could come in 2026."That would be the goal, to try and do this for next year. … We've been talking about 72 and 76."
— David Rumsey (@_DavidRumsey) May 29, 2025This is not the first time Baker or other college athletics stakeholders have mentioned NCAA Tournament expansion. Last November, Baker told Dan Patrick he believed “there was room” to go to 72 or 76 teams. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has also expressed interest in expanding March Madness in the past.
The NCAA Tournament has boasted a field of 68 teams back since 2011. It was frequently undergone expansion at different points over the last few decades. The NCAA Tournament included just 32 teams until it doubled in size back in 1985.
It’s likely this level of expansion would simply lead to a more robust play-in round. Since 2011, the start of the NCAA Tournament has been marked by 4 games played in Dayton, Ohio, in the days leading up to the first Thursday of March Madness.
A decision on whether or not the NCAA Tournament will expand in time for 2026 is expected in the coming weeks or months.
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