South Carolina and UCLA to Face Off in Women's NCAA Championship

The highly anticipated matchup will determine the 2026 national champion.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:49am

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The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game will feature a showdown between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UCLA Bruins. The two teams advanced to the title game after impressive performances in the Final Four. This will be the first time these two powerhouse programs have met in the championship game.

Why it matters

The women's NCAA basketball championship is one of the most anticipated events in college sports, and this year's matchup between South Carolina and UCLA promises to be an epic battle between two of the top teams in the country. Both programs have rich histories and passionate fan bases, making this an exciting finale to the tournament.

The details

South Carolina, led by star player Azzi Fudd, defeated the UConn Huskies in the Final Four to advance to the championship game. UCLA, meanwhile, earned its spot in the title game by taking down a tough opponent in the semifinals. The Bruins will look to capture their first-ever NCAA women's basketball championship, while South Carolina seeks to defend its title from last year.

  • The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game will take place on April 6, 2026.
  • Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A standout player for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Fudd is one of the top scorers in the country and a key reason why her team has advanced to the championship game.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The defending NCAA women's basketball champions, the Gamecocks are seeking to repeat as titleholders and cement their status as one of the premier programs in the sport.

UCLA Bruins

A perennial powerhouse in women's basketball, the UCLA Bruins are making their first appearance in the NCAA championship game since 2017 and are hungry to capture their first national title.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the opportunity to defend our title and compete against a great UCLA team. It's going to be a battle, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

“This is what we've been working towards all season long. We're not satisfied with just making it to the championship game - we want to win it all.”

— Charisma Osborne, Guard, UCLA Bruins

What’s next

The championship game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on April 6th. Fans can also stream the game live on the ESPN app.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game promises to be an epic showdown between two of the top programs in the country. With South Carolina looking to defend its title and UCLA seeking its first-ever national championship, this matchup is sure to captivate fans and provide an exciting conclusion to the tournament.