2026-27 Women's College Basketball Season Schedule Announced

The opening game is scheduled for November 1 at noon ET, with Villanova facing Notre Dame at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Rome, Italy. This matchup is part of the Eternal City Tip-Off, which is also hosting a men's double-header featuring the Fighting Irish and Wildcats at 9:30 a.m. ET. The event is inspired by Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova alumnus and the first American-born pope.

Back in the U.S., the regular season officially kicks off on November 2, featuring several notable matchups starting at 10:30 a.m. ET. Key games that day include:

- Maryland vs. South Carolina

- Arizona vs. Stanford

- Oklahoma vs. North Carolina in Paris, France

- Lehigh vs. UCLA

- Cornell vs. UConn

The opening weeks will also feature early-season multi-team events, such as the Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis from November 24-26 and Baha Mar Hoops from November 19-20.

UCLA enters the season as the defending national champions after defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the previous year's championship game.

Following the regular season, the NCAA tournament will commence with Selection Sunday on March 14. The tournament will introduce an Opening Round, with 24 teams competing in 12 games. Key dates for the tournament include:

- Opening Round: March 17-18

- First Round: March 19-20

- Second Round: March 21-22

- Sweet 16: March 26-27

- Elite Eight: March 28-29

- Final Four: April 2

- National Championship: April 4 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.