The NCAA Tournament expanded its men's basketball field from 64 teams to 76 teams, adding eight games to the First Four round. The change increases the number of contests played before the round of 64.

Before the expansion, four at-large teams competed for two tournament spots in the First Four. Under the new format, twelve at-large teams will compete for six tournament spots in the First Four round.

Six tournament spots in the First Four are reserved for the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers. The remaining First Four berths are filled by the at-large pool. In total, the expanded First Four will feature more games than the previous format, with the field growing by 12 teams overall.

The expansion brings the tournament field to 76 teams, up from the previous 64-team bracket. The additional at-large berths mean more teams from the at-large pool will have a path into the main bracket through the First Four round.

Name, image and likeness compensation and the transfer portal have grown throughout college athletics. Thirty-six of the top 40 teams in the final NET rankings are from the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten, Big East, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12.