Expanded NCAA Tournament Adds Play‑In Games, But Brackets Stay Same

March Madness is once again on the horizon, and fans are scrambling to finalize their brackets before the first tip‑off on Thursday.

The NCAA selection committees have voted to expand both the men’s and women’s tournaments from 68 to 76 teams, a change set to debut in 2027.

The expansion introduces 12 “Opening Round” games that will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, effectively adding a new layer of play‑ins.

This is the first expansion of the men’s tournament in 15 years, the previous increase occurring in 2011 when the field grew from 64 to 68.

The women’s tournament added its own First Four in 2022, mirroring the men’s format that was introduced a decade earlier.

Despite the additional games, major bracket contests such as ESPN’s Tournament Challenge and CBS’s bracket competition will not incorporate the new play‑ins.

Both networks have confirmed that their brackets will remain anchored to the traditional 64‑team field that begins at noon on Thursday.

Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, speaking to Veezstream, indicated that the core bracket will be preserved and that most participants will simply overlook the extra games.

Lunardi emphasized that the “main bracket of 64 is preserved (for tipoff at) noon on Thursday — which is absolutely what’s going to happen.”

Consequently, players who complete their brackets by Thursday morning will not be penalized for ignoring the Tuesday‑Wednesday matchups.

Coaches and conference commissioners have long advocated for a larger tournament, arguing that more student‑athletes should experience the marquee event.

Critics, however, contend that the expansion primarily benefits power‑conference schools seeking additional at‑large bids for borderline teams.

The NCAA’s official release highlighted that the new format is projected to generate an extra $131 million over the next six years for participating institutions.

Financial incentives are a key component of the expansion, as the additional games create new revenue streams from broadcasting rights and sponsorships.

The American Gaming Association estimated that $3.3 billion will be wagered legally on the 2026 tournament, underscoring the event’s gambling appeal.

Approximately 67 million American adults—about one‑quarter of the adult population—take part in some form of bracket challenge each year.

Many of those contests are informal, with office pools and personal wagers that often operate outside legal parameters.

Despite the massive participation, Lunardi noted that “a lot of people don’t watch college basketball until that (first tournament) weekend.”

He added that the average fan is unlikely to know the identities of the 11‑seed teams until Selection Sunday, limiting early interest in play‑in outcomes.

In the 2027 bracket mockup released by the NCAA, all 12 opening‑round games feature double‑digit seeds, eliminating traditional upset scenarios.

The matchups consist of two 11‑vs‑11 games, four 12‑vs‑12 games, four 16‑vs‑16 games, and two 15‑vs‑15 games.

Because the seeds are identical, the usual bracket scoring that rewards upset picks based on seed differentials does not apply to these games.

This scoring nuance explains why ESPN and other platforms are unlikely to adjust their point systems to accommodate the new play‑ins.

Jay Bilas, ESPN analyst, stated that the play‑in games “usually don’t count in your bracket challenge unless you advanced someone out of the first round (of 64).”

Bilas further clarified that for most participants, “the tournament starts Thursday,” reinforcing the limited impact on traditional brackets.

The expansion also alters logistical preparations for coaches, who will not know their first‑round opponents until late Tuesday or Wednesday night.

Lunardi joked that coaches “like getting fired even less,” referencing the job‑security argument that more postseason spots could provide.

Historically, the 12‑vs‑5 upset has been a staple of March Madness, occurring in every tournament since 2008 except three.

Data shows that at least one 12‑seed has defeated a 5‑seed in all but three tournaments over the past fifteen years.

By grouping all double‑digit seeds together in the play‑ins, the expansion removes the classic 12‑seed upset from the opening day narrative.

Nevertheless, the larger field offers additional mid‑major programs a chance to compete on the national stage.

Teams that previously hovered on the bubble will now have a guaranteed play‑in matchup, providing a clearer postseason pathway.

The new format also promises increased exposure for conferences that have historically received fewer tournament bids.

For fans, the extra games add two more days of high‑stakes basketball, though they may not affect most bracket outcomes.

Media outlets are exploring ways to incorporate the play‑ins into coverage, but the core bracket remains the focal point for most viewers.

In terms of tournament economics, the projected $131 million boost translates to roughly $2.2 million per additional game over six years.

This figure accounts for television revenue, advertising, and ancillary income generated by the expanded schedule.

From a competitive standpoint, the play‑ins pit equally seeded teams against each other, ensuring a balanced matchup without a clear favorite.

The uniform seeding also simplifies the selection process, as the committee can assign play‑in slots based on conference tie‑ins and overall records.

Below is a summary of the twelve opening‑round matchups and their seed designations.

Game	Seed Pairing	Number of Games
11 vs. 11	Double‑digit seed	2
12 vs. 12	Double‑digit seed	4
15 vs. 15	Double‑digit seed	2
16 vs. 16	Double‑digit seed	4

While the play‑ins add depth to the tournament, they do not alter the traditional 64‑team bracket that most fans and analysts focus on.

The NCAA’s decision reflects a balance between expanding opportunities for programs and preserving the simplicity of the classic bracket format.

As the tournament approaches, the majority of participants will likely finalize their picks based on the established 64‑team field.

Ultimately, the expansion’s impact on bracket pools will be minimal, with the primary excitement still centered on Thursday’s tip‑off.