PHOENIX (August 14, 2026) – Position Sports and The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) will launch the first Scripps Sports Women’s Basketball Showcase on December 16 at Mortgage Matchup Center. This event will feature a doubleheader showcasing women's college basketball, with defending national champion UCLA taking on Duke and USC facing Miami.
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The matchup will be broadcast nationally on ION, reaching over 128 million households. Tickets will go on sale on August 20 at 10:00 AM AZ (1:00 PM ET) through ticketmaster.com, with one ticket covering both games.
Brian Lawlor, President of Scripps Sports, expressed enthusiasm about the event, highlighting it as a significant platform for elevating women's athletics and featuring top-tier programs. The schedule includes UCLA vs. Duke at 5:00 PM AZ (7:00 PM ET) and USC vs. Miami at 7:30 PM AZ (9:30 PM ET).
UCLA, expected to be a Top 15 program this season, will be strengthened by the addition of Addy Brown, a transfer from Iowa State. Duke returns three starters from last year's ACC Championship team and has added top recruit Aaliyah Crump.
USC looks to capitalize on the return of JuJu Watkins, the 2024-25 consensus National Player of the Year, and adds five-star recruit Saniyah Hall. Miami will enhance its roster with four veteran transfers, including Jess-Mine Zodia.
Melissa Meacham-Grossman, President of Position Sports, noted that the showcase will solidify Mortgage Matchup Center's status as a premier venue for women’s basketball following its recent hosting of the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
This event is part of Scripps’ expanding portfolio of women’s sports rights, which also includes the WNBA, NWSL, and professional women’s hockey, among others.
UCLA leads the series against Duke with a 3-2 record, while the matchup between USC and Miami will mark their first meeting. Coaches from both teams anticipate a competitive and high-stakes atmosphere.