NCAA set to allow college basketball schedules increase to 32-game season beginning in 2026-27

[OrangeXtreme]

NCAA set to allow college basketball schedules increase to 32-game season beginning in 2026-27

The move is being done to encourage even more high-profile nonconference games in November, December ... and January and February

www.cbssports.com

College basketball's regular season is set to expand. Barring an unexpected and extremely unlikely motion to vote against, the NCAA Division I Council will approve on Wednesday an increase from 31 to 32 games, beginning with the 2026-27 season, sources told CBS Sports. The vote is a rubber-stamp move after the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Oversight Committees voted in favor of the change back in late March.

The update comes after a 19-year run of a 31-game maximum for the regular season. Since 2006-07, the format was 28 or 29 predetermined games, plus allowance for three-game or two-game multi-team events added in (making it a 31-game cap). Starting in 2026, teams won't be required to play 32 games, they'll merely have the option to do so — with most expected to up their quota by one under the new rule.

The increase will also push teams that make the NCAA championship game to play in as many as 41 games.

 

[PeteCalvin]

I vote for a yearly game with UConn in NYC. Get back to The Garden.

 

[Brooky03]

Does this make it easier for us to win 20 games?

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Make it even more games. They are all professionals so expand the season even further.

https://x.com/MattNorlander/status/1937969906235871428?t=dTROWNNbLkCzVC1L0WXFBA&s=19

 

[dasher]

This is good news if we can get good again. I love the games.

 

[Cappy3]

Does this make it easier for us to win 20 games?

Well, it means winning 20 will mean even less than it does now.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Ugh dilutes regular season even further. Why stop at 32. Play 40, then 60.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Sounds like academics, increasing injuries etc aren’t important issues at all for universities.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Ugh dilutes regular season even further. Why stop at 32. Play 40, then 60.

They should play 40. I love it. This isn’t football.

 

[FrancoPizza]

They should play 40. I love it. This isn’t football.

26 games was fine. I want the games to matter. It’s so watered down now it’s a joke.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Sounds like academics, increasing injuries etc aren’t important issues at all for universities.

I think money was always the most important factor, but it will interesting how they schedule the extra games. Do they go earlier and compete with CFB, or does March Madness become April Madness.

 

[Cusefan0307]

26 games was fine. I want the games to matter. It’s so watered down now it’s a joke.

If there's still the same amount of teams in the tournament I don't see how anything changes. Everyone is graded in the same playing field. It's basketball. There should be a lot of games.

 

[CA Monk]

NFL should’ve stayed at 14.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

NFL should’ve stayed at 14.

MLB should have stayed at 154.

 

[Cusefan0307]

NFL should’ve stayed at 14.

10

 

[Orangezoo]

Sounds like academics, increasing injuries etc aren’t important issues at all for universities.

Unfortunately when the most desired employer in your area of focus at college cares nothing about your academic credentials this is what we get. We know pro sports teams aren’t about to emphasize getting a degree or academic performance anytime soon…

 

[brian williams]

Sounds like academics, increasing injuries etc aren’t important issues at all for universities.

Professional sports tend to go that way. Hate it.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Professional sports tend to go that way. Hate it.

It’s been that way for a long time. Go back to adding the conference championship games in FB. Heck, even the BET (which was my annual religious pilgrimage) was just about $$$. (Imagine the NIL the kids could have picked up in NYC during the BET.)

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

They should play 40. I love it. This isn’t football.

It’s supposed to be college. You know, classes, study groups, projects, parties etc.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I vote for a yearly game with UConn in NYC. Get back to The Garden.

Get our ass kicked on CBB biggest stage, annually. No thanks.

 

[brian williams]

It’s been that way for a long time. Go back to adding the conference championship games in FB. Heck, even the BET (which was my annual religious pilgrimage) was just about $$$. (Imagine the NIL the kids could have picked up in NYC during the BET.)

True.

 

[Cusefan0307]

It’s supposed to be college. You know, classes, study groups, projects, parties etc.

It’s professional sports now.

 

[pfister1]

Bring on the Day / Night double headers!!!

 

[Archbold44]

More likely, it allows the conferences to have 20 conference games, without sacrificing OOC games.

 

[Archbold44]

Well, it means winning 20 will mean even less than it does now.

As well as all individual/team counting stats... 100 blocked shots, etc.