NCAA Expands March Madness to 76 Teams

0:00It's April 28th. From coast to coast, this is U.S. News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Big news and college hoops, the NCAA is set to expand both the men's and women's March-Manus tournaments from 68 teams to 76. Starting in 2027, this shake-up has been in the works, with plans heading for approval as soon as May after reviews from key committees. Here's how it'll play out. Two teams get straight into the main bracket, while 24 others battle in 12 opening round games on the Tuesday and Wednesday, after Selection Sunday, winners advance to the round of 64, ditching the old first four label for a cleaner first round setup. Conferences like the Big 12 and Atlantic Co's have been pushing hard for this growth, seeing it as a way to boost exposure and revenue. NCAA President Charlie Baker is on board too, calling it a smart move to include more squads and keep the excitement rolling. Right now, they're wrapping a media contract talks with partners, which paves the way for

1:01votes from basketball committees, oversight groups, the Division I cabinet, and the Board of Governors. It's the first big change since adding those playing games back in 2011. Once locked in, this expansion revives the tournaments vibe after sticking at 64 or 65 teams since 1985, promising, even more buzzer beaters and Cinderella stories ahead.