How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament: Every Channel, Stream & Key Date

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament runs from March 18 to April 5, 2026. The National Championship game tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Phoenix, Arizona.

March Madness is here — and this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one for the books.

With UConn entering as the undefeated, defending champion No. 1 overall seed, powerhouse programs like UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas right behind them, and 68 teams all chasing a title, there is no shortage of must-watch basketball over the next three weeks.

We've already gotten through the First Four, Missouri State, Nebraska, Southern, and Virginia advanced. Now it's time for the Field of 64 to begin!

Whether you have cable, a streaming subscription, or you're trying to catch every game on the go — we've got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, from the First Four all the way to the National Championship in Phoenix.

2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament: Where to Watch

All games in the 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament are broadcast across ESPN's family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.

The National Championship on April 5 will air on ABC. Every single game is also available to stream on ESPN Unlimited.

Platform	Type	Cost	All Tournament Games?
ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPNU / ESPNews	Cable/Satellite TV	Included w/ cable	Yes
ABC	Broadcast TV (free)	Free with antenna	Championship only
ESPN Unlimited	Streaming	Starting at $29.99/mo	Yes — all games
Fubo	Live TV Streaming	Starting at $45.99/mo	Yes
Sling TV (Day Pass)	Live TV Streaming	$4.99/day or $14.99/wk	Yes
DirecTV Stream	Live TV Streaming	Varies by plan	Yes

Full Tournament Schedule & TV Breakdown

Here is the complete round-by-round schedule with broadcast details so you never miss a tip-off.

First Round — March 20-21, 2026

The field expands to 64 teams across the First Round, spread across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ABC.

Our MUST-WATCH matchup is Friday between NC State and Tennessee.

Games begin Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET and run through Saturday night. Keep an eye out for South Carolina hosting on ABC at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Second Round — March 22-23, 2026

The Second Round continues the action on Sunday and Monday, narrowing the field to the Sweet 16. Game times and TV assignments will be announced as the bracket develops.

Sweet 16 — March 27-28, 2026 | Fort Worth & Sacramento

The Sweet 16 is split between two regional sites: Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Games air on ESPN and ABC.

Date	Time (ET)	Site	Network
Fri. March 27	2:30 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ESPN
Fri. March 27	5:00 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ESPN
Fri. March 27	7:30 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ESPN
Fri. March 27	10:00 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ESPN
Sat. March 28	12:30 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ABC
Sat. March 28	3:00 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ABC
Sat. March 28	5:00 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ESPN
Sat. March 28	7:30 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ESPN

Elite 8 — March 29-30, 2026 | Fort Worth & Sacramento

The Elite Eight determines who heads to Phoenix. Sunday games air on ABC; Monday games air on ESPN.

Date	Time (ET)	Site	Network
Sun. March 29	1:00 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ABC
Sun. March 29	3:00 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ABC
Mon. March 30	7:00 PM	Dickies Arena — Fort Worth, TX	ESPN
Mon. March 30	9:00 PM	Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, CA	ESPN

Final Four — April 3, 2026 | Phoenix, Arizona

The Women's Final Four takes place at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. Both semifinal games air on ESPN, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET with the second game starting approximately 30 minutes after the first concludes.

National Championship — April 5, 2026 | Phoenix, Arizona

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. This is the one — don't miss it.

How to Watch Without Cable

No cable? No problem. The 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament is more accessible than ever for cord-cutters. Here are your best options:

ESPN Unlimited

ESPN's streaming platform gives you access to every single game of the women's tournament. It's the most comprehensive option for fans who want complete coverage without cable. Plans start at $29.99 per month.

Fubo

Fubo carries ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ABC, making it a strong option for live streaming the entire tournament. New subscribers can try it free before committing. Pricing starts at $45.99 for the first month.

Sling TV Day Pass

For fans who don't want a monthly subscription, Sling TV's Day Pass is a flexible option. You can pay $4.99 for a single day, $9.99 for a weekend, or $14.99 for a full week. Add the Sports Extra package for ESPNU coverage.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream carries the full ESPN family of networks, making it another solid live TV streaming option for the tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel is the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on?

The tournament broadcasts across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews throughout the early rounds. The Sweet 16 and Elite 8 feature games on ABC, and the National Championship on April 5 airs exclusively on ABC.

Can I watch the Women's NCAA Tournament for free?

The National Championship on April 5 airs on ABC, which is available for free with a digital antenna. For all other games, you'll need a cable subscription, live TV streaming service, or ESPN Unlimited.

When is the 2026 Women's NCAA Championship game?

The National Championship tips off on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and airs on ABC.

Where is the 2026 Women's Final Four?

The Women's Final Four is at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, April 3, 2026.

Where are the 2026 Sweet 16 regional sites?

The two Sweet 16 and Elite 8 regional sites are Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

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