For the relays, a maximum of 16 qualifying teams in each event must be permitted to accumulate a total of 112 relay teams; each NOC may enter only one team. The top three teams in each relay race at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan will directly book a slot for their corresponding event at the Olympics, while the remaining thirteen vying for qualification per relay race must attain their best time from the heats and finals at the combined 2023 and 2024 meet in Doha.[1]
Competition format
The competition consists of two rounds: heats and a final. The teams with the best 8 times in the heats advance to the final. Swim-offs are used as necessary to break ties for advancement to the next round (final).