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March Madness Fever Grips Sacramento as Fans Flock to Golden 1 Center
NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet Sixteen action captivates the city
Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:21am
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The excitement of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has arrived in Sacramento, with passionate fans packing the streets around the Golden 1 Center to cheer on their favorite teams. From chants of 'Go Hoos!' to 'Go LSU!' and 'Go Duke!', the atmosphere has been electric as the tournament's Sweet Sixteen matchups get underway.
Why it matters
The return of the women's tournament to Sacramento marks the first time the city has hosted the event since 2010, showcasing the growth and increased visibility of women's basketball over the past decade. Fans see the tournament as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and hope it could lead to the return of a WNBA team, like the former Sacramento Monarchs, to the city.
The details
Outside the Golden 1 Center, crowds have been gathering to support their teams, with fans traveling from as far as West Virginia and Reno to catch the action. The tournament has brought a palpable energy to downtown Sacramento, with fans expressing their enthusiasm through chants and lighthearted banter.
- The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet Sixteen matchups are currently underway in Sacramento.
- The tournament marks the first time Sacramento has hosted the event since 2010.
The players
Larry Herd
A fan from West Virginia who came to watch his granddaughter compete for the University of Virginia.
Tessa Hartman
A fan from Reno who made the trip to Sacramento to see LSU head coach Kim Mulkey in action.
Hazel Quintanilla
A fan who believes the visibility of the tournament is important, as it can inspire the next generation of players.
Zach Silva
A Duke fan from Sacramento who hopes the tournament's success could lead to the return of a WNBA team, like the former Sacramento Monarchs, to the city.
Kim Mulkey
The head coach of the LSU women's basketball team, who has a large following among fans.
What they’re saying
“A Cinderella story?”
— Larry Herd, Fan from West Virginia
“More like a Virginiaella story!”
— Larry Herd, Fan from West Virginia
“I'm a huge Kim Mulkey fan... the fact I get to see her in Sacramento is my dream come true.”
— Tessa Hartman, Fan from Reno
“If you see her, you can be her... it is important.”
— Hazel Quintanilla, Fan
“Bringing the Monarchs back would be huge... why not Sacramento? I think they'd sell out every game.”
— Zach Silva, Duke fan from Sacramento
What’s next
With the Sweet Sixteen matchups underway, the tournament will continue to captivate Sacramento fans as teams compete for a spot in the Final Four in Phoenix.
The takeaway
The return of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament to Sacramento has ignited a sense of excitement and community pride, showcasing the growing popularity and visibility of women's sports. Fans are hopeful that the tournament's success could lead to the revival of a WNBA team in the city, further cementing Sacramento's status as a hub for basketball enthusiasts.
