Overview
- The NCAA, which finalized the change Thursday after board approvals, will replace the First Four with 12 opening‑round games between 24 teams whose winners advance into the traditional 64‑team bracket.
- The expansion takes effect for the 2026–27 season, with the men’s tournament set to open March 16, 2027, and the women’s on March 17, and the three‑week calendar stays intact.
- Dayton will host six opening‑round games, with a second site to be named outside the Eastern time zone to ease travel and scheduling.
- The NCAA projects more than $131 million in added revenue distributions over the remaining TV‑deal years and plans to unlock new sponsorship categories, including beer, wine and spirits, to cover extra games and travel costs.
- Coaches and analysts warn the move may lessen regular‑season stakes and push more bids to ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC teams, leaving many mid‑majors facing a tougher path through play‑in games.