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NCAA Chooses Wichita to Host 2027-28 Opening Round

7/10/2026

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Summary

NCAA Picks Wichita

The NCAA chose Wichita, Kansas to host the 2027 and 2028 Opening Round on March 16-17, 2027 at Intrust Bank Arena, which hosted first-round games in 2018 and 2025.
Wichita will host three games per day and share Opening Round duties with Dayton, Ohio.
The field expands to 76 teams, adding a 24-team Opening Round for low-seeded qualifiers, with first- and second-round games March 18-21 in eight cities and the Final Four April 3-5 in Detroit.

Summary

NCAA Shifts Cutline

The committee moved the Wins Above Bubble cut line from the 45th team in a 68-team field to the 55th in 76-team format.
The NCAA kept the NET formula unchanged despite the expansion.
The ban on host schools playing at home was lifted, allowing them to use their own arena.
West Coast Conference commissioner Stu Jackson was named vice chair for 2026-27 and will chair the 2027-28 men’s tournament.

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NCAA Picks Wichita

The NCAA chose Wichita, Kansas to host the 2027 and 2028 Opening Round on March 16-17, 2027 at Intrust Bank Arena, which hosted first-round games in 2018 and 2025.
Wichita will host three games per day and share Opening Round duties with Dayton, Ohio.
The field expands to 76 teams, adding a 24-team Opening Round for low-seeded qualifiers, with first- and second-round games March 18-21 in eight cities and the Final Four April 3-5 in Detroit.

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