The NCAA is set to reshape its women's basketball tournament beginning with the 2026‑27 season, introducing a series of reforms that could alter how teams qualify and compete.
Seeding by True Ranking
Under the new format, the top 16 teams will be seeded according to a true ranking that factors in overall performance rather than conference affiliation. This approach is intended to reward teams that have consistently excelled throughout the year and to prevent early clashes between rivals from the same conference.
The tournament field will grow from its current size to 76 participants, a move that expands the pool of at‑large bids by eight and raises the number of opening‑round play‑in games from four to eight. The expansion is designed to give more programs a chance to compete on the national stage.
A Broader Impact
The NCAA announced the expansion in May, noting that the 2027 tournament will mark the third edition in which women’s teams can earn units that translate into financial payouts for their conferences. In the 2026 edition, the Big Ten captured 32 units, translating to roughly $6.4 million in revenue.
Sam Purcell, a veteran coach, praised the shift, saying it "recognizes the full body of work a team delivers over an entire season" and creates a clearer path for the strongest programs.
Tony Bozella, a noted analyst, added that the new structure "opens the door for further refinements in selection and seeding, ensuring the tournament remains competitive and fair."
If the reforms are implemented as planned, the landscape of women’s college basketball could see a more merit‑based selection process, greater exposure for mid‑major programs, and a heightened stakes environment that mirrors the men’s tournament in ambition if not yet in scale.