South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins to Face Off in 2026 NCAA Women's National Championship Game

The two powerhouse teams will battle it out for the national title on Sunday afternoon.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:37pm

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The 2026 NCAA women's basketball national championship game is set, with the South Carolina Gamecocks taking on the UCLA Bruins. South Carolina defeated UConn 62-48 in the semifinals, while UCLA squeaked past Texas 51-44. The Gamecocks are led by a balanced scoring attack, while the Bruins are anchored by star center Lauren Betts. It will be an intriguing matchup between two of the top teams in the country.

Why it matters

This championship game features two of the premier women's basketball programs in the country. South Carolina is making its fifth national title appearance, looking to add to its already impressive resume. UCLA, on the other hand, is making its first-ever championship game in the NCAA Tournament era, seeking to cement its status as an elite program.

The details

South Carolina's stifling defense was the key to its semifinal win over UConn, as the Gamecocks were able to contain Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. UCLA relied on its balanced scoring attack and the dominance of Lauren Betts in the paint to get past Texas. The Bruins' only loss this season came against Texas back in November.

  • The national championship game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • South Carolina defeated UConn 62-48 in the semifinals on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • UCLA defeated Texas 51-44 in the semifinals on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • UCLA's only loss of the season came on November 27, 2025 against Texas.

The players

Lauren Betts

The star center for the UCLA Bruins, leading the team in points and rebounds per game. At 6-foot-7, she is a dominant presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.

Raven Johnson

A key guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks, who played a crucial role in containing UConn's star players in the semifinals.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will be leading her team in its fifth national championship appearance.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to be challenged because they are pretty methodical in how they want to cut you apart. So they got bigs, they got shooters, they got a point guard that's super smart. They're complete.”

— Dawn Staley, South Carolina Head Coach

“We're going to have to go into it and really give everything that we possibly can for 40 minutes. There's no letting up. I think against a team like that, it's going to be about our aggressiveness, on both ends of the floor.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Center

What’s next

The national championship game between South Carolina and UCLA will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The winner will be crowned the 2026 NCAA women's basketball national champion.

The takeaway

This championship matchup features two of the top women's basketball programs in the country, with South Carolina's experience and defensive prowess going up against UCLA's balanced scoring attack and dominant center Lauren Betts. It should be an exciting and hard-fought battle for the national title.