The NCAA announced on Thursday that it will expand its March Madness tournaments to 76 teams starting next season, adding eight teams to each tournament. This change will introduce 12 additional games in the first week, enhancing the tournament's accessibility while preserving its traditional format. The newly branded 'March Madness Opening Round' will feature these extra games, with 12 winners advancing to the main 64-team bracket. This marks the first expansion in 15 years, with the last change occurring in 2008 when the tournaments were increased to 68 teams. The NCAA projects that the expansion will generate over $131 million in new revenue for participating schools, primarily through expanded advertising opportunities. Keith Gill, chairman of the Division I men’s basketball committee, emphasized that the expansion aims to create more access while maintaining the beloved structure of the tournament. Despite the changes, the NCAA does not expect a significant alteration to the existing TV deal, which is valued at $8.8 billion and runs through 2032. The expansion reflects the evolving landscape of college basketball, where power conferences have increasingly dominated tournament entries.