NIT and WBIT fields shrink from 32 to 24 teams starting in 2027 as NCAA Tournament expands
The NCAA announced that both the men's National Invitational Tournament and the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament will reduce their fields from 32 to 24 teams beginning in 2027. The change is driven in part by the NCAA Tournament's expansion from 68 to 76 teams, as well as a growing trend of programs declining NIT bids in recent years. The revamped NIT will also shift its exempt bid structure, allocating automatic berths to programs from the top 10 conferences — down from 12 — based on KenPom rankings, with the ACC and SEC each receiving an additional exempt bid. The 2027 NIT championship game will be held in Detroit on April 4, coinciding with the Final Four host city, while the WBIT semifinals and championship will be played at Wichita State on March 29 and 31.
Due to the NCAA Tournament expanding from 68 to 76 teams starting this season -- and multiple programs opting out of the NIT entirely over the last several years -- the NIT reducing its field seemed inevitable.
Why it matters
For coaches: Coaches at mid-major and power conference programs must weigh a tighter NIT field and updated bid-allocation rules when planning roster and scheduling decisions.
For athletes: College basketball players on the bubble of NCAA Tournament selection now face a smaller NIT field, reducing postseason opportunities for teams that fall just short.
For collectives: Collectives at programs historically reliant on NIT appearances may see reduced postseason revenue and exposure if their team no longer qualifies under the smaller bracket.
Read the full story at CBS Sports
Sources
- CBS Sports · Cameron Salerno: National Invitational Tournament shrinks field from 32 to 24 teams as NCAA Tournament expansion looms
- Awful Announcing · Drew Lerner: NCAA reduces NIT field to 24 teams