The NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball committees have released details on penalties and reporting requirements for the new player‑availability reporting program that will debut during the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships.
The system, being implemented for the first time in any NCAA championship, is designed in part to reduce betting‑related pressure, harassment and solicitation directed at student‑athletes and team personnel. The NCAA operates what it calls the world’s largest integrity‑monitoring program and provides online threat‑detection services to athletes as sports wagering continues to expand nationwide.
The availability‑reporting program will serve as a pilot and will not apply to other NCAA championships during the 2025–26 academic year.
HD Intelligence to Manage Reporting System
HD Intelligence will serve as the reporting provider for the 2026 tournaments. Several conferences already use the platform. The NCAA said it aims to keep the process simple and has provided video training and will distribute a detailed FAQ.
Availability reports will apply to all Division I men’s and women’s tournament games and will be posted publicly on NCAA.com.
How the Reporting Process Works
Teams must submit an initial availability report by 9 p.m. local time the night before each game. Updates must be filed no later than two hours before tipoff. The reporting portal will open five hours before each deadline.
Players will be listed in one of three categories:
- Available — more than a 75% chance to play
- Questionable — up to a 75% chance to play
- Out — will not play
All players will be assumed available unless designated otherwise.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Institutions and head coaches may face penalties for failing to follow the policy or for misconduct related to reporting. For the 2026 championships, the committees established the following structure:
- First offense: Up to a $10,000 institutional fine
- Second offense: Up to a $25,000 institutional fine
- Third and subsequent offenses: Up to a $30,000 institutional fine and up to a $10,000 fine for the head coach
Penalties will be assessed after the tournaments conclude.
