The NCAA has initiated the final steps to expand the men’s and women’s March Madness fields to 76 teams, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The change is expected to be formalized in the coming weeks, putting it on track to begin next season, adds Thamel.
The men’s tournament will include eight additional at-large bids, and the First Four will now consist of 24 teams playing at two venues, according to Thamel.