UCLA Fans Flock to Arizona to Cheer on Final Four Bruins

Alumni and supporters travel from across California to support the women's basketball team in the national semifinals.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:22pm

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Hundreds of UCLA fans, including alumni, season ticket holders, and longtime supporters, made the trip from California to Phoenix, Arizona, to cheer on the Bruins women's basketball team in the 2026 NCAA Final Four. The fans expressed pride in the team's values, character, and desire to elevate women's sports, hoping the Bruins can build a legacy similar to the men's program.

Why it matters

UCLA's women's basketball team has emerged as a national powerhouse, reaching the Final Four for the second year in a row. The passionate fan support reflects the growing interest and appreciation for the women's game, as well as UCLA's ability to cultivate a loyal following around its student-athletes and their positive impact on and off the court.

The details

Fans from across California, including alumni Candice Wilmuth, Amy Shoemaker, Scott and Dianne Parker, and Kathy and Kirstie Jeffries, made the trip to Phoenix to cheer on the Bruins. They praised the team's character, values, and coach Cori Close's leadership, hoping the women's program can achieve the same level of recognition and support as the men's team.

  • The Final Four game took place on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Bruins had also reached the Final Four the previous year, in 2025.

The players

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team, who has built the program into a national contender.

Lauren Betts

A two-time All-American player for the Bruins, who the fans hope can leave a lasting legacy similar to the men's basketball greats.

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What they’re saying

“I am excited for women's basketball to get the support that men's gets. For me, part of coming out this weekend is also putting my money where my mouth is. This is part of women stepping up and getting the recognition they deserve.”

— Amy Shoemaker, UCLA alumna

“And they're the kind of people you want to be. Not just because they're amazing basketball players, but they're really making positive choices about who they want to be as people and that's so much more important than just a sport. And it makes me really proud to be a Bruin and proud to be affiliated with them.”

— Candice Wilmuth, UCLA alumna

What’s next

If the Bruins win their Final Four matchup, they will advance to the national championship game on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

The passionate support from UCLA fans, who traveled from across California to cheer on the women's basketball team, highlights the growing appreciation for women's sports and the positive impact the Bruins' student-athletes are having both on and off the court.