Women's Final Four Opens with Heavyweight Showdowns

Top-seeded South Carolina, UConn, Texas, and UCLA clash in Phoenix semifinals

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:53am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in the team colors of the four Final Four participants, capturing the dynamic energy and intensity of the women's basketball semifinals.The Final Four's top seeds clash in a high-stakes battle for the women's basketball national championship.Phoenix Today

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four tips off on Friday night in Phoenix with a pair of highly anticipated semifinal matchups. All four No. 1 seeds have advanced, setting up a showcase of the sport's top teams and players. South Carolina faces off against UConn in the opening game, followed by a clash between Texas and UCLA.

Why it matters

With no Cinderella teams remaining, the Final Four features a collection of the nation's elite women's basketball programs battling for the national championship. The matchups promise high-level, championship-caliber basketball as the top seeds vie to cut down the nets.

The details

South Carolina and UConn will meet in the first semifinal, a clash of two powerhouse programs with deep rosters and championship pedigrees. Later, Texas and UCLA will square off, with both teams having navigated tough paths to reach the Final Four. Rebounding, half-court execution, and toughness are expected to be key factors in the Texas-UCLA showdown.

  • The women's Final Four tips off on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The South Carolina vs. UConn game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN2.
  • The Texas vs. UCLA game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

The players

South Carolina

The No. 1 overall seed, South Carolina enters the Final Four with a physical, deep roster that has made the team a problem for opponents all season.

UConn

A perennial women's basketball powerhouse, UConn has maintained its unbeaten record and championship-level identity throughout the tournament.

Texas

The Longhorns powered into the Final Four with authority, showcasing their balance and resilience in navigating the Elite Eight.

UCLA

The Bruins have demonstrated their toughness and half-court execution in reaching the Final Four, setting up a compelling matchup with Texas.

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What they’re saying

“Every possession gets louder, every run feels heavier and every mistake costs a little more at this stage of the tournament.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting

What’s next

The winners of Friday's semifinal games will advance to the national championship game on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The 2026 Women's Final Four features a collection of the nation's elite women's basketball programs, setting the stage for a showcase of high-level, championship-caliber basketball as the top seeds battle for the national title.