South Carolina and UCLA Advance to NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in Phoenix

The two powerhouse teams will face off for the national title in Arizona.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:56pm

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The University of South Carolina Gamecocks and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins have both advanced to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game, which will be played this Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona. The two teams have met frequently in recent years and are considered two of the top women's basketball programs in the country.

Why it matters

The NCAA Women's Basketball Championship is one of the most prestigious events in college sports, and this year's matchup between South Carolina and UCLA features two of the sport's premier teams and biggest stars. The game will showcase the incredible talent and competitiveness of women's basketball on a national stage.

The details

South Carolina, the defending national champions, defeated the University of Connecticut Huskies in the Final Four to advance to the title game. UCLA, making their first championship appearance since 2018, upset the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in the other semifinal. The two teams have met three times already this season, with each squad winning once and the third game ending in a tie.

  • The NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game will be played on Sunday, April 6, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • South Carolina defeated UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026.
  • UCLA defeated Iowa in the Final Four on April 4, 2026.

The players

University of South Carolina Gamecocks

The defending NCAA Women's Basketball Champions, led by head coach Dawn Staley.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins

A perennial powerhouse in women's basketball, making their first championship game appearance since 2018.

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What they’re saying

“This is what we've worked for all season long - to get back to the championship game and defend our title. We're excited for the challenge of facing UCLA, they're a tremendous team.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, University of South Carolina Gamecocks

“It's been a long road back to this point, but our team has really come together and peaked at the right time. We're looking forward to the opportunity to win our first national title.”

— Cori Close, Head Coach, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins

What’s next

The NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game between South Carolina and UCLA will tip off at 5:00 PM local time on Sunday, April 6, 2026 at the Phoenix Suns Arena in downtown Phoenix.

The takeaway

This year's NCAA Women's Basketball Championship matchup features two of the sport's elite programs and will showcase the incredible talent and competitiveness of the women's game on the national stage. Fans are in for an exciting championship showdown between the defending titleholders and a UCLA squad seeking their first national championship.