March Madness Expands to 76 Teams

March Madness is about to get bigger and wilder—starting in 2027, the NCAA tournament expands from 68 to 76 teams, replacing the First Four with a new 24-team opening round. With schools pouring more cash into basketball thanks to revenue sharing, the move gives more student-athletes a shot at the big stage, boosting drama, TV viewership, and fan excitement. Coaches love it—more games, more buzzer-beaters, more buzz. The Big 12, already sending record eight teams this year, expects even bigger gains. It’s not just about more games—it’s about deeper talent, wider access, and turning the opening round into a true tournament moment. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9e9a7e71b02c2bc4