The 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four tips off tonight in Phoenix, Arizona, and college basketball fans are in for an unforgettable evening. For the first time in years, all four No. 1 seeds have punched their tickets to the national semifinals, setting the stage for a historic clash of powerhouse programs.
Tonight’s Matchups: UConn vs. South Carolina and UCLA vs. Texas
The action begins at 7 p.m. ET when the UConn Huskies (38-0) take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (35-3) in what promises to be the game of the tournament. UConn enters the Final Four with a perfect record and a jaw-dropping 54-game winning streak that stretches back into last season. Head coach Geno Auriemma has guided the Huskies to their 25th Final Four appearance — the most in women’s college basketball history.
In the nightcap at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET, UCLA (35-1) squares off against Texas (35-3). Both squads bring deep rosters loaded with multi-talented frontcourt players who have dominated the tournament bracket so far.
Why This Final Four Is Special
UConn’s undefeated season is the headline story. The Huskies haven’t lost a game all year, and their quest for a perfect season adds enormous stakes to every remaining minute of play. This is the program’s first unbeaten run to the Final Four since 2016, and the entire basketball world is watching to see if they can finish the job.
Making things even more exciting, both UConn’s men’s and women’s teams reached the Final Four this year — prompting former star Paige Bueckers to dub Storrs, CT, the basketball capital of the world. Bueckers, who led UConn to a national title last season before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, will be watching closely from the WNBA sidelines.
Key Players and Storylines to Watch
South Carolina’s battle-tested roster will need to find a way to slow down UConn’s relentless offense. Meanwhile, the UCLA-Texas matchup features two programs that have been building toward this moment all season with veteran coaching and elite talent on both sides of the ball.
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How to Watch
Both semifinal games air live on ESPN, with streaming available through the ESPN app and Fubo. The national championship game follows on Saturday, April 5. With four elite programs and a potential perfect season on the line, this Final Four could deliver one of the greatest weekends in women’s college basketball history.
Who do you think will win it all — can anyone stop undefeated UConn, or will South Carolina, UCLA, or Texas pull off the upset? Share your predictions!
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