The NCAA announced that it will not expand the field for the 2026 men's and women's Division I basketball tournaments, keeping the number of teams invited to the Big Dance at 68.

Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president, hinted that the tournament could expand in future years.

"The committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships," he said.

An expanded field could help generate more television revenue, as universities in the NCAA are now permitted to pay players directly under new rules.

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The current 68-team format has been in place for the men's tournament since 2011 and for the women's tournament since 202

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