NIT and WBIT reduce team size to 24 starting in 2027
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 1, 2026, 5:12 PM
Last updated Oct 1, 2026
The NCAA announced that the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) will decrease their team fields from 32 to 24 teams beginning in 2027. This decision follows the expansion of the NCAA tournaments to 76 teams starting this season, prompting a reevaluation of the invitation formats. The change aims to maintain competitive balance in postseason play. Further details on the implementation and potential impacts on participating teams have yet to be released.
- •NIT and WBIT team sizes drop to 24 from 32.
- •Changes take effect in 2027 following NCAA tournament expansion.
- •NCAA tournaments expanded to 76 teams this season.
- 5:56 PMESPN — NIT, WBIT cutting down to 24 teams in wake of expanded NCAA tournaments
"In the aftermath of the NCAA tournaments expanding to 76 teams starting this season, the NIT and Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament will drop from 32 teams to 24 beginning in 2027, the NCAA announced.
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