Overview
- The NCAA announced that, beginning in 2027, both the men's National Invitation Tournament and the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament will shrink from 32 teams to 24 teams.
- Under the new selection formula the NIT will guarantee one spot to the highest-ranked eligible team from each of the top 10 conferences as measured by KenPom, plus one guaranteed bid each for the ACC and the SEC, and those 12 teams will be offered to host at least one game.
- The tournaments will stage preliminary rounds at campus sites, the NIT final will be held near the NCAA Final Four with Detroit Mercy hosting in 2027, and the WBIT will move later rounds to Wichita State for its semifinals and championship.
- The change follows the NCAA Tournament’s expansion from 68 to 76 teams, which effectively shifts eight postseason slots to the NCAA Tournament, and reflects falling demand as several power programs have declined NIT invitations in recent seasons.
- The NCAA says total NCAA-sponsored postseason participation will remain 100 Division I teams, ESPN will continue broadcast rights, and the WBIT will adopt new eligibility thresholds including a .500 minimum record and NET/WAB ranking guidelines for at-large consideration.