UCLA Seniors Chasing NCAA Women's Basketball Title

Four No. 1 seeds return to the Final Four for the second straight year

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's basketball game broken down into overlapping planes of royal blue, cardinal red, and bright gold, capturing the intensity and drama of the Final Four matchup.The UCLA Bruins' veteran seniors make one final push for the NCAA women's basketball title in a tournament filled with familiar powerhouse programs.Today in Tampa

The 2026 NCAA women's basketball Final Four features the same four No. 1 seed teams that reached the championship round last year, including the UCLA Bruins. For the Bruins' veteran seniors, this year's tournament represents their last chance to capture the elusive national title.

Why it matters

Reaching the Final Four in consecutive seasons is an impressive feat, but winning the championship has proven difficult for these dominant programs. The UCLA seniors are determined to cement their legacy by finally breaking through and winning the title in their final collegiate season.

The details

The 2026 NCAA women's basketball Final Four features the same four No. 1 seed teams that reached the championship round last year - UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, and Stanford. For the UCLA Bruins, this represents the last chance for their veteran seniors to capture the national title that has eluded them thus far in their careers.

  • The 2026 NCAA women's basketball Final Four takes place this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • The UCLA Bruins are making their second straight Final Four appearance.

The players

UCLA Bruins

The UCLA women's basketball team, a perennial powerhouse that has reached the Final Four in back-to-back seasons.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, another No. 1 seed that has returned to the Final Four.

UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies, a women's basketball dynasty that has reached its 15th Final Four.

Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal, the fourth No. 1 seed to make the 2026 Final Four.

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What they’re saying

“This is it for us. It's all or nothing. We've been so close the last few years, and now we have one last chance to win it all.”

— Jayla Ware, UCLA Bruins Senior

What’s next

The winners of the two Final Four matchups will advance to the NCAA women's basketball championship game on April 6th.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA women's basketball Final Four features a familiar quartet of powerhouse programs, underscoring the sustained excellence of these elite teams. For the UCLA Bruins' veteran seniors, this tournament represents their final opportunity to capture the national championship that has eluded them thus far in their careers.