March Madness

When does Women’s March Madness 2026 start? Full schedule, Final Four details and host cities

March is upon us, which means the madness will soon follow. Here’s everything you need to know about the women’s tournament in 2026.

Jamie Rhodes

Jennifer Bubel

Sports Journalist, AS USA

Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.

Update: Mar 3rd, 2026 15:16 EST

With March in full swing, the spotlight shifts to the madness of college basketball as the road to the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament officially begins.

Conference tournaments are wrapping up across the country, bracket projections are tightening, and championship contenders are emerging. Now, attention turns to Selection Sunday and the chase for a national title.

NCAA DI Women's Basketball Top 16 Reveal.#NCAAWBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ALIZ7At1iP
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) February 15, 2026

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament, including key dates, host sites and Final Four details.

When does Women’s March Madness 2026 start?

The 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament begins with Selection Sunday on Sunday, March 15, 2026, when the 68-team bracket will be revealed.

Game action tips off just days later with the First Four, followed by the first and second rounds hosted on campus sites. From there, the tournament moves to neutral-site regionals before culminating in the Final Four in early April.

Complete Women’s March Madness 2026 Schedule

Here is the full 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament schedule:

Selection Sunday: March 15
First Four: March 18-19
First Round (Round of 64): March 20-21
Second Round (Round of 32): March 22-23
Sweet 16: March 27-28
Elite Eight: March 29-30
Final Four: Friday, April 3
National Championship Game: Sunday, April 5

Note: First and second round games are hosted by the top four seeds in each region.

Where is the 2026 Women’s Final Four?

The 2026 Women’s Final Four will be held at PHX Arena in Phoenix.

The national semifinals are scheduled for Friday, April 3, with the championship game set for Sunday, April 5.

Phoenix previously hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2017 and has become a regular site for major NCAA events. The venue, home to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, offers a downtown setting expected to draw massive crowds for one of the fastest-growing events in college sports.

2026 Women’s Tournament Locations

First Four

Campus sites (TBD)

First and Second Rounds

Hosted by the top 16 overall seeds at on-campus arenas

Regional Sites (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight)

Birmingham, AL
Spokane, WA

The NCAA continues its two-regional format in the women’s tournament, meaning eight teams advance to each regional site before the Final Four.

Early championship contenders to watch

Several powerhouse programs are expected to enter March as serious title threats:

South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball - Perennial contender with elite defensive depth
UConn Huskies women’s basketball - A tournament-tested program with championship pedigree
LSU Tigers women’s basketball - Loaded with star power and postseason experience
Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball - High-powered offense capable of explosive runs
Texas Longhorns women’s basketball - Physical defense and balanced scoring
Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball - Always dangerous in March

As always, the women’s tournament delivers breakout stars, Cinderella runs and dramatic finishes. The parity across the top 20 teams suggests 2026 could produce one of the most competitive brackets in recent memory.

How to watch Women’s March Madness 2026

The women’s NCAA Tournament will be broadcast nationally across ESPN networks in the United States, with streaming available via ESPN’s digital platforms. International coverage will vary by region.

Fans can prepare printable brackets, follow projections and monitor conference tournament results as Selection Sunday approaches. March Madness is nearly here, and the road to Phoenix promises must-watch basketball.