The NCAA Tournament expanded from 64 to 68 teams in 2011. The change introduced the First Four round, a set of pre-tournament games in which the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions compete for spots in the traditional 64-team bracket.

The NCAA won't be expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments ahead of the 2025-26 season. Senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt announced Monday any proposals to grow the field from 68 teams will be tabled until the 2027 tournament at the earliest:

The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will not expand beyond 68 teams in 2026, but future growth remains on the radar. “Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships,