NCAA Women's Basketball Field Expands to 76 Teams

The tournament growth coincides with the start of the 2026-27 season for Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball

NCAA Women's Basketball Field Expands to 76 Teams

Live Poll

Do you support expanding the number of teams invited to the NCAA basketball tournament?

The NCAA is expanding its women's basketball tournament field from 68 to 76 teams this season. Virginia Tech and Virginia are both preparing for their season openers on Monday as they look to secure bids in the larger bracket.

Why it matters

The tournament expansion increases postseason opportunities for teams like Virginia Tech and Virginia, which both look to improve upon their previous season records. Both programs aim to capitalize on the new bracket structure to gain competitive footing in a season where several ACC rivals start ranked in the AP Top 25.

The NCAA tournament field grows to 76 teams this year. Virginia Tech finished last season 23-10 while Virginia posted a 22-12 record.

The players

Kymora Johnson

She is a standout guard for the Virginia Cavaliers who returned to the program after exploring the transfer portal.

Virginia Tech

This collegiate basketball program is looking to build on a 23-10 record after adding transfers Alyssa Latham and Lauren Hurst.

Virginia

The Cavaliers represent the University of Virginia and are preparing for their season opener with high expectations for a tournament berth.

The details

Virginia Tech enters the season after a 12-6 league performance last year, while Virginia looks to build on its 11-7 ACC finish. The Cavaliers are bolstered by the return of Kymora Johnson, who averaged 19.5 points and totaled 201 assists last season, though Virginia Tech will be without Lauren Hurst due to a knee injury.

Virginia Tech and Virginia open their basketball seasons on Monday.

Season Trajectory

This season marks the implementation of the NCAA women's basketball tournament field expansion. The increase in available slots directly shifts the math for bubble teams like Virginia and Virginia Tech as they navigate a competitive ACC schedule.

With 76 teams now in the field, Virginia and Virginia Tech gain a wider margin for error when chasing an at-large bid. Fans should monitor early-season games against ranked ACC opponents like Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina to gauge how these teams stack up against national contenders.

The takeaway

The move to a 76-team bracket significantly alters the postseason landscape for mid-tier programs looking for national recognition. Fans should track early-season matchups closely, as non-conference play will be critical in building the resume necessary to capitalize on these new tournament slots.