team bracket for DI Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships

Key Points:

• Starting in 2027, the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships will expand from 68 to 76 teams, increasing participation opportunities for student-athletes and enhancing fan engagement with more competitive matchups.
• The NCAA projects over $131 million in new revenue distributions to member schools over six years, with increased financial support for basketball programs and student-athletes through revenue sharing and expanded corporate sponsorships, including new product categories like beer and spirits.
• The expanded tournament format introduces a March Madness Opening Round featuring 24 teams playing 12 games across two cities for men and on top-seeded campuses for women, while maintaining existing schedules for subsequent rounds and Final Four events.
• The expansion will raise championship access from 18% to 21% of Division I basketball teams, benefiting programs from a wider range of conferences and providing more schools with national exposure and financial incentives to invest in their basketball programs.
• Broadcast coverage will continue across major networks (TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV for men; ESPN networks for women), with new sponsorship opportunities allowing local and sport-specific partnerships, further supporting NCAA championships beyond basketball.