Which Of The 5 Major Basketball Conferences Has Made The Most Money During March Madness?

The NCAA Tournament is a cash cow for major college basketball conferences. The top five leagues are already raking in millions thanks to the on-court performance of their members.

The total payout for March Madness competition was around $270 million last year. This year’s event is likely to have a similar structure though official numbers have not yet been released.

Each game competed in is considered a “unit.” Each unit is valued at $2 million, from the First Four to the national title. Those totals are then split to be paid across the next six seasons (about $350,000 per season starting in 2027).

It’s important to know that conferences, not teams, are the ones being paid to start. The leagues then determine how to split those payouts between schools.

Some split evenly amongst league members. Others, like the ACC, reward on-court excellence.

What conference has made the most in March Madness payouts?

Conferences are paid even before the opening tip. Each team representing a league is worth $2 million. Those that continue to win only add to the pot.

The SEC led the way with 10 schools in the field in 2026. The B10 had nine while the Big 12 and ACC each had eight. The Big East, considered the fifth major conference in college basketball, had three participants.

Here, we’ll break down how each league has performed to this point while noting the total March Madness payout up through the Sweet 16.

This list includes only money earned for games already played. Who has made the most?

5. Big East

Pre-Sweet 16 Payout: $10 million

The Big East got three teams into the field in UCONN, St. John’s, and Villanova. That triggered a $6 million payday right off the rip.

St. John’s and UCONN have subsequently picked up wins in the Rounds of 64 and 32 to advance to the Sweet 16.

A total of five games has been played involving Big East teams. That puts the payout, at this point, near $10 million to be paid over the next six years. The Red Storm and Huskies can make the prize even larger with a few more wins.

4. ACC

Pre-Sweet 16 Payout: $24 million

The ACC got eight teams into the field. Two kicked off the action in the First Four. Unfortunately, neither was able to advance to the Round of 64.

Still, those eight bids banked $16 million for the league. Duke, Virginia, Miami, and Louisville each moved onto the Round of 32.

A total of 12 games has been played involving ACC squads. The total payout, to this point, sits around $24 million. Unfortunately, the chances of adding rely solely on Duke as its other second round comrades were eliminated before the Sweet 16.

3. Big 12

Pre-Sweet 16 Payout: $28 million

The Big 12, too, got eight teams into the field to match the ACC. It saw six of those teams advance past the Round of 64. As a result, its conference payout sits a bit higher.

Of those six, three are still alive with Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston each advancing past the first weekend of play.

So far, 14 games have been played involving Big 12 teams. That puts the estimated payout at around $28 million upon entering the Sweet 16. The total could continue to grow with all three of its remaining squads being favored in their Game 3 matchups.

2. Big Ten

Pre-Sweet 16 Payout: $32 million

The Big Ten got the second-most teams of any conference into the March Madness field with nine. That provided a payout of more than $18 million before the opening round.

Of those nine, seven advanced to the Round of 32. Six will play in the Sweet 16.

Thus far, 16 contests have been played involving Big 10 schools. The payout prior to the start of the Sweet 16 is $32 million. That total is guaranteed to grow with Iowa and Nebraska squaring off for an Elite Eight spot.

The conference should pick up a few more wins when all is said and done.

1. SEC

Pre-Sweet 16 Payout: $38 million

The SEC leads the way in terms of March Madness payouts after getting a nation-high 10 teams into the initial field. One of those teams played in and won a First Four game to help boost the pot.

The league went 9-2 prior to the Round of 32 to see eight schools advance. Of those eight, four are gearing up for the Sweet 16.

In all, 19 games have been played with an SEC team represented. That’s made the total payout to this point an estimated $38 million.

We’ll see if they can continue adding in the second weekend.