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UCLA won its first NCAA women’s basketball championship, defeating fellow No. 1 seed South Carolina 79-51 on April 5.Â
The 2026 tournament featured an all-No. 1 seed Final Four for the fifth time in women’s tournament history. UCLA cruised past Texas, and South Carolina handed UConn its first loss of the season en route to the title game.
Games started with the First Four beginning Wednesday, March 18 and cotinued through the national championship on April 5.
2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament bracket
Click or tap here for a printable bracket | Click or tap here for the interactive bracket
2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament schedule
2026 NCAA women’s tournament schedule, scores, highlights
All times ET
Wednesday, March 18 (First Four)
Thursday, March 19 (First Four)
Friday, March 20 (First Round/Round of 64)
(3) Duke 81, (14) Col. of Charleston 64
(3) TCU 86, (14) UC San Diego 40
(8) Oregon 70, (9) Virginia Tech 60
(6) Baylor 67, (11) Nebraska 62
(6) Washington 72, (11) South Dakota State 54
(5) Maryland 99, (12) Murray State 67
(5) Ole Miss 81, (12) Gonzaga 66
(1) Texas 87, (16) Missouri State 45
(2) Michigan 83, (15) Holy Cross 48
(4) North Carolina 82, (13) Western Illinois 51Â
(2) LSU 116, (15) Jacksonville 58
(4) Minnesota 75, (13) Green Bay 58
(5) Michigan State 65, (12) Colorado State 62
(7) NC State 76, (10) Tennessee 61Â
(7) Texas Tech 57, (10) Villanova 52Â
(4) Oklahoma 89, (13) Idaho 59
Saturday, March 21 (First Round/Round of 64)
(3) Ohio State 75, (14) Howard 54
(3) Louisville 72, (14) Vermont 52
(1) South Carolina 103, Southern U 34Â
(10) Virginia 82, (7) Georgia 73
(6) Notre Dame 79, (11) Fairfield 60
(6) Alabama 68, (11) Rhode Island 55
(5) Kentucky 71, (12) James Madison 56
(1) UConn 90, (16) UTSA 52
(9) USC 71, (8) Clemson 67
(2) Iowa 58, (15) FDU 48
(4) West Virginia 82, (13) Miami (Ohio) 54
(9) Syracuse 72, (8) Iowa State 63
(2) Vanderbilt 102, (15) High Point 61
(8) Oklahoma State 82, (9) Princeton 68
(7) Illinois 66, (10) Colorado 57Â
(1) UCLA 96, (16) California Baptist 43
Sunday, March 22 (Second Round)
Monday, March 23 (Second Round)
Friday, March 27 (Sweet 16)
Saturday, March 28 (Sweet 16)
Sunday, March 29 (Elite Eight)
Monday, March 30 (Elite Eight)
Friday, April 3 (Final Four)
Sunday, April 5 (National Championship)
This is the schedule for the tournament:
Selection Sunday:Â 8 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on ESPN
First Four:Â March 18-19
First round:Â March 20-21
Second round:Â March 22-23
Sweet 16:Â March 27-28 in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, Calif.
Elite Eight: March 29-30 in Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, Calif.
Final Four: Friday, April 3 in Phoenix, Ariz.
NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 5 in Phoenix, Ariz.
WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR FUTURE DATES AND SITES
Â
Year
City
Venue
Dates
Host
2026
Phoenix, Ariz.
Mortgage Matchup Center
April 3 & 5
Arizona State University
2027
Columbus, Ohio
Nationwide Arena
April 2 & 4
The Ohio State University, Greater Columbus sports Commission
2028
Indianapolis, Ind.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
March 31 & April 2
Horizon League, IUPUI, Indiana Sports Corp
2029
San Antonio, Texas
Alamodome
March 30 & April 1
University of Incarnate Word, UTSA, San Antonio Sports
2030
Portland, Ore.
Moda Center
April 5 & 7
University of Portland, Sport Oregon
2031
Dallas, Texas
American Airlines Center
April 4 & 6
Big 12 Conference, Dallas Sports Commission
NCAA women’s bracket for 2025
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