Women's Final Four court showcases Michigan maple in Phoenix

The NCAA's official court supplier transforms raw materials into a vibrant, Arizona-inspired hardwood display.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the Women's Final Four basketball court, with the hardwood surface broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of bright teal, orange, blue, and red colors.The vibrant, geometric design of the Women's Final Four court reflects the energy and artistry of the championship games.Phoenix Today

The Women's Final Four court at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix has undergone a yearlong process to transform Michigan maple wood into a colorful, mosaic-patterned display featuring teal, orange, blue, and red. The court was designed by Connor Sports, the NCAA's official court supplier, to highlight Arizona's Indigenous influences and the energy of the upcoming championship games.

Why it matters

The Women's Final Four court serves as a centerpiece for one of the biggest events in women's basketball, showcasing the sport's top talent on a visually striking stage that connects to the local Phoenix community. The court's design process also highlights the craftsmanship and logistics behind creating an NCAA championship-level playing surface.

The details

The court's design process began 18 months ago, with the NCAA and the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee working with Connor Sports to incorporate Arizona-inspired elements like mosaic-like patterns. The raw maple wood was harvested in Michigan, shipped to Connor Sports' mill, and then manufactured into 262 individual panels. These panels were then finished, painted, sealed, and shipped to Phoenix before being installed in just four hours by technicians. The final court is estimated to have traveled 2,483 miles and weighs around 42,500 pounds.

  • The Women's Final Four games will be played from April 3-5, 2026.
  • The court design process began 18 months ago in late 2024.
  • The raw maple wood was harvested in Michigan and shipped to Connor Sports' mill in late 2025.
  • The court panels were manufactured, finished, and shipped to Phoenix in early February 2026.
  • The court was installed in Mortgage Matchup Center over a four-hour period.

The players

Jay Parry

CEO of the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee.

Amy Reis

NCAA director of women's basketball.

Zach Riberdy

Marketing director at Connor Sports, the official court supplier of the NCAA Final Four.

Connor Sports

The official court supplier of the NCAA Final Four since 2006, responsible for designing and manufacturing the Women's Final Four court.

NCAA

The governing body of college sports that sets the style guidelines for the Women's Final Four court.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I walked in and it was like an 'aha' moment for me. We've been planning this for 18 months with the NCAA, and now to walk in on Monday morning on championship week and see this, it's real and it's happening.”

— Jay Parry, CEO of Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee

“What do we want to highlight? What do we want to show? What can make it feel very Arizona and Phoenix-specific?”

— Amy Reis, NCAA director of women's basketball

“It's a labor of love that started a long time ago. And I can't believe how beautiful it turned out. The women's court design this year looks prettier to me than the ones we've done in years past. I think all of the colors pop really well. It's a really good nod to the city of Phoenix.”

— Zach Riberdy, Connor Sports marketing director

What’s next

The Women's Final Four games will be played at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix from April 3-5, 2026, showcasing the newly designed court.

The takeaway

The Women's Final Four court exemplifies the craftsmanship, planning, and community engagement that goes into creating a visually striking and culturally relevant centerpiece for one of the biggest events in women's sports. The court's design process highlights the NCAA's efforts to connect with local Arizona influences and showcase the sport's top talent on a vibrant, one-of-a-kind playing surface.