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NCAA Expands 2027 Opening Round, Adds Second City

7/8/2026

Summary

NCAA Expands Field

The NCAA will add a second city to join Dayton, Ohio, for the 2027 opening round.
The field will expand from 68 to 76 teams in 2027, creating twelve games, with six on Tuesday and six on Wednesday, and Dayton and the new city hosting three.
Half the games will feature at-large teams for 11-13 seeds, while the other half will pit low-major conference teams for No. 15 and No. 16 seeds.

Summary

NCAA Rotates

The NBA Cup championship game will be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The NCAA compressed its host-city planning because the expansion was finalized this spring.
Denver and Las Vegas said they did not bid for the second opening-round location.
Advocates propose rotating the expanded opening round among four to five cities, citing Albuquerque’s “The Pit” (seating over 15,000) and its lack of a major-league team to boost local enthusiasm.

Summary

Experts Recommend

David Cobb says Sioux Falls’ Denny Sanford Premier Center offers an opening-round venue, short drives from Minneapolis, Des Moines and Omaha, and an airport with direct flights to major markets.
Cameron Salerno backs Las Vegas, recommending the Thomas & Mack Center over T-Mobile Arena because of its tournament ties and the city’s 2028 Final Four role.
Isaac Trotter adds Sioux Falls could emulate the Pit’s atmosphere, citing the Midwest’s basketball roots as a compelling reason.

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NCAA Expands Field

The NCAA will add a second city to join Dayton, Ohio, for the 2027 opening round.
The field will expand from 68 to 76 teams in 2027, creating twelve games, with six on Tuesday and six on Wednesday, and Dayton and the new city hosting three.
Half the games will feature at-large teams for 11-13 seeds, while the other half will pit low-major conference teams for No. 15 and No. 16 seeds.

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