There will be 68 teams competing in the women’s NCAA basketball tournament in 2026.
Before the NCAA tournament’s first and second rounds begin, the final four at-large teams, ranked 65–68, will play in the First Four. The first weekend of tournament play and the First Four will be held in the top 16 seeded.
Eight teams will compete in the regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight), which will once again be hosted at two locations. These will take place in Sacramento, California, and Fort Worth, Texas, from March 27 to 30.
The Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, will host the 2026 women’s Final Four on April 3 and 5.
Every match of the event will be televised by ESPN networks, and the women’s bracket will be unveiled on ESPN on Sunday, March 15. Additionally, games will be streamed live through the ESPN App.
Check out Charlie Creme’s ESPN Bracketology for early field projections for the 2025–26 season, which includes all of the current teams considered to be “on the bubble.” November 3 is the tip of the season.
Selection Sunday
March 15 (ESPN/ESPN App)
First Four
March 18-19
TBD; top 16 seeds host
First round
March 20-21
TBD; top 16 seeds host
Second round
March 22-23
TBD; top 16 seeds host
Fort Worth Regional
March 27-30
Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
Sacramento Regional
March 27-30
Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, California)
Final Four
April 3, April 5
Mortgage Matchup Center (Phoenix, Arizona)
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