What is the First Four?
The First Four is the opening round of March Madness. Eight teams play four games. The four winners take the last spots in the main bracket of 64.
In 2027, the First Four is played March 16 and 17.
Who plays in the First Four
The field starts with 68 teams.
Eight of them play in the First Four.
Four are the lowest-seeded at-large picks.
Four are the lowest-seeded conference champions.
The other 60 teams wait for the main bracket.
New to those words? Read what an at-large bid is.
A worked example, with the real counts
68 teams get in. Eight play on the first two days.
Four win, and four go home.
The four winners join the 60 teams that waited.
That makes the main bracket of 64.
From there, every team needs six straight wins to take the title.
When it happens in 2027
The field is named on Selection Sunday, March 14, 2027.
The First Four games are Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16 and 17.
The main bracket starts the next day, Thursday, March 18.
Does your bracket count these games
Your bracket covers the main bracket only.
That is 63 games, from the first round to the title game.
The First Four winners simply join the 64.
You pick them, or not, once they are in.
Read how many games are in March Madness.
Is the field getting bigger
The field is 68 teams today.
A bigger field has been talked about.
No change has been decided.
Any change is the NCAA's call.
Five questions start your bracket. Your picks finish it.
Our picker opens on Selection Sunday, March 14, 2027. Five answers start your bracket. You name your team and your upsets, and you can flip any pick.
Common questions
What is the First Four?
The First Four is the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Eight teams play four games, and the four winners take the last spots in the main bracket of 64.
How many teams play in the First Four?
Eight teams play in the First Four: the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers. They play four games, and the winners join the field of 64.
When is the First Four in 2027?
The First Four is played on Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 17, 2027, right after Selection Sunday on March 14.
More bracket basics
- When does March Madness start?
- How does March Madness work?
- What is the opening round in March Madness?
- How to fill out a March Madness bracket
- What is a March Madness bracket?
- How does bracket scoring work?
- When is Selection Sunday 2027?
- How many teams are in March Madness?
- What is March Madness?
- What is a seed in March Madness?
- How many games are in March Madness?
- How many rounds are in March Madness?
- What is the Final Four?
Make your calls on the eight matchups waiting on the home page.