One big change is coming to Selection Sunday, one of college basketball\u2019s sacred holidays.<\/p>\n
When viewers tune into ESPN for the bracket reveal next March, there will be some surprises that have been spoiled.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because the NCAA Selection Committee is going to unveil the top 16 teams the night before, giving the schools who have earned the right to host games during the first weekend of March Madness an extra day to prepare. This announcement will also be made on ESPN.<\/p>\n
Some suspense will still remain though. While the 16 teams who are hosting will be revealed on Saturday, their seed order won\u2019t be unveiled until Sunday along with the rest of the 68-team field. The 16 teams who are hosting will be announced in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n
The NCAA Division I Women\u2019s Basketball Committee approved this change at their summer meeting last week in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth mentioning that this selection announcement model \u2014 top 16 reveal a day before the full seed list and bracket \u2014 has been the norm for the NCAA\u2019s Division I baseball tournament for many years.<\/p>\n
While there has been much discussion about potentially expanding the field of March Madness, neither the men\u2019s or women\u2019s committees reached a decision on adding teams to the bracket.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe committee\u2019s comprehensive preliminary format review will continue through its October meeting,\u201d a release from the NCAA Division I Women\u2019s Basketball Committee said.<\/p>\n
For now, expect the Division I women\u2019s NCAA basketball tournament\u2019s format to remain unchanged. First Four games will be still be played at campus sites, as will the first and second rounds of the tournament. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight stages will be continue to be played at combined regional sites \u2014 this season, those are in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, California \u2014 despite complaints from high-profile coaches<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe committee continues to review and consider all championship elements,\u201d said Amanda Braun, director of athletics at Milwaukee and chair of the committee in 2025-26. \u201cThe championship continues to grow in a variety of ways and by various metrics, that includes record attendance and broadcast ratings the last three years. The committee will continue to have additional discussion around these topics while considering the team, player and fan experiences and ensuring that the women\u2019s basketball championship presents a solid business model.\u201d<\/p>\n