NCAA Introduces New 15-Day Transfer Window for College Basketball

In a landmark decision, the NCAA just announced big changes to the transfer portal windows for both men’s and women’s college basketball. The Division I Cabinet made this announcement on January 14, 2026.

This new rule introduces a 15-day transfer window that starts right after the NCAA Tournament championship games for each sport. The NCAA also tweaked the rules for players affected by head coaching changes and rolled out fresh financial rewards for teams that reach the Final Four or further.

These adjustments are supposed to streamline the transfer process and boost financial support for basketball programs. College sports are changing fast, and honestly, it’s about time the rules caught up.

New Transfer Portal Window

The NCAA’s move to a 15-day transfer window is a pretty big shift from the old system. Before, the portal opened in March, right in the middle of the NCAA tournaments.

The Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees recommended this change back in November. The goal? Give athletes a timeline that’s more structured and a little easier to predict.

Effective Dates and Duration

The new transfer window kicks off the day after the NCAA Women’s Tournament championship on April 5 and the men’s title game on April 6. Players will have 15 days to enter the transfer portal.

This window gives athletes a clear period to make decisions, without the distraction of tournament games still happening. It should help them weigh their options with a bit less chaos.

Impact on Players and Coaches

Players dealing with a head coaching change get a separate 15-day window. That opens five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced.

If a new coach isn’t announced within 30 days of the last coach leaving, the window opens anyway. This way, athletes aren’t left hanging if their program’s in limbo.

Midyear Transfers and Eligibility

The NCAA also tackled the issue of midyear transfers. Under the new rules, if a player enrolled at an NCAA school during the first academic term, they can’t compete at another school that same year—even if they didn’t play.

This rule’s meant to keep the academic calendar intact and make sure athletes stick to both their schoolwork and sports commitments. It’s a bit strict, but maybe that’s what it takes to keep things fair.

Financial Rewards for Tournament Performance

There’s more: the NCAA’s rolling out new financial incentives for teams that perform well in the postseason. Programs that pour resources into their basketball teams and make it far will finally see some extra support.

Performance Units and Funds

Starting with the 2026 tournaments, three units will be awarded for both men’s and women’s basketball postseason performance. The breakdown looks like this:

• One unit for each team that makes it to the Final Four
• An extra unit for teams that play in the championship game
• One more unit for the national champion

Conferences will get these units in 2027, so the schools that earn them see the payoff the following year.

Distribution of Funds

Men’s basketball units get paid out over six years. For women’s basketball, it’s three years.

This rolling distribution keeps the money flowing and gives programs more resources to grow and compete. It’s not perfect, but it’s something.

Statements from Key Figures

Val Ackerman, the Big East commissioner, said she’s grateful for the changes. She pointed out how important financial support is for conferences that don’t have football revenue to fall back on.

She also mentioned that the new policy will reward teams that make it to the championship game. It’s a nod to their effort and grit, which is nice to see acknowledged.

NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt praised the decision too. He said it rewards schools that invest in basketball and reach the top by competing for and winning the national championship.