The women's NCAA basketball tournament in 2027 will have a newly expanded 76-team field.
Twenty-four teams will now compete in the newly rebranded Opening Round for a chance to play in the first weekend of the NCAA tournament (March 17-18). The top 16 seeds will host the first weekend of tournament games (March 19-22), as well as the Opening Round.
The regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight) will once again be held at two sites, with eight teams competing at each. Philadelphia and Las Vegas will host these March 26-29.
The 2026 women's Final Four is scheduled for April 2 and 4 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
The women's bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 14, on ESPN, with ESPN networks broadcasting each game of the tournament. Games will also be available to watch online via the ESPN App.
Throughout the 2026-27 season, check out Charlie Creme's ESPN Bracketology for early projections of the field, including all of the current teams considered to be "on the bubble." The season tips Nov. 2.
Selection Sunday
March 14 (ESPN/ESPN App)
Opening Round
March 17-18
TBD; top 16 seeds host
Round of 64
March 19-20
TBD; top 16 seeds host
Round of 32
March 21-22
TBD; top 16 seeds host
Philadelphia Regional
March 26-29
Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia)
Las Vegas Regional
March 26-29
T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas)
Final Four
April 2, 4
Nationwide Arena (Columbus, Ohio)
