2026-27 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is a 76-team single-elimination bracket that decides the national champion. Selection Sunday is March 14, 2027 and the championship game is set for April 4, 2027. Conference tournament winners claim automatic bids, with the rest of the field chosen at large by the selection committee.
The 2027 women’s tournament expands to 76 teams. Twelve Opening Round games reduce the field to 64; the championship is scheduled for April 4 in Columbus.
76
Teams
March 14, 2027
Selection Sunday
April 4, 2027
Championship Game
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Final Four Location
Planning a tournament visit
Start with the round you want to attend. Opening, first and second rounds use campus hosts; regional games move to Philadelphia or Las Vegas, and the Final Four is in Columbus. A team’s path and session will depend on the announced bracket. A place in the tournament does not guarantee a place in a later round.
Round dates below are planning dates, not individual tip-off times. Before booking, confirm the specific venue, session, matchup and ticket conditions with the organizer. Keep the full weekend available if you plan to follow a team through two rounds.
Format and dates checked 2026-10-17. Source: NCAA tournament announcement.
Tournament Schedule
Opening Round
March 17–18, 2027
Twenty-four teams compete for twelve places in the round of 64.
12 games
First Round
March 19–20, 2027
The remaining 64 teams compete at campus host sites.
32 games
Second Round
March 21–22, 2027
Sixteen winners advance to regional play.
16 games
Sweet 16
March 26–27, 2027
Regional semifinals in Philadelphia and Las Vegas.
8 games
Elite Eight
March 28–29, 2027
Regional finals decide the four semifinalists.
4 games
Final Four
April 2, 2027
The national semifinals are held in Columbus.
2 games
National Championship
April 4, 2027
The two semifinal winners play for the national title.
1 game
Tournament Bracket
The 2026-27 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament bracket has not yet been released. Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 14, 2027.
NCAA Tournament FAQs
Common questions about the bracket, seeding and qualification.
How many teams are in the 2026-27 NCAA Women's Tournament?
The 2027 women’s tournament expands to 76 teams. Twelve Opening Round games reduce the field to 64; the championship is scheduled for April 4 in Columbus.
When is Selection Sunday?
Selection Sunday falls on March 14, 2027, when the full bracket, seeds and regional assignments are announced.
When is the national championship game?
The championship game is scheduled for April 4, 2027, following the Final Four national semifinals.
How do teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament?
Each conference tournament champion receives an automatic bid. The remaining places are at-large selections made by the committee based on record, NET ranking, strength of schedule and results against quality opponents.
How does seeding work?
Teams are seeded within four regions, with the top overall seeds distributed across them. Selected top seeds host the opening and first two rounds on campus. Regionals take place at predetermined sites, so a high seed does not guarantee a home court there.
What is the difference between the Final Four and the Elite Eight?
The Elite Eight is the regional final round, with eight teams playing four games. The four winners advance to the Final Four, the national semifinals, whose winners meet in the championship game.