Iowa to Host FDU in NCAA Tournament First Round

Hawkeyes earn 2-seed, will face 15-seed Fairleigh Dickinson at home

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:06pm

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The University of Iowa women's basketball team has earned a 2-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will host 15-seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Why it matters

This is the Hawkeyes' 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 15 seasons, showcasing the program's consistent success under head coach Lisa Bluder. Hosting a first-round game gives Iowa a home-court advantage as they look to make a deep tournament run.

The details

Iowa finished the regular season with a 27-5 record and won the Big Ten regular season title. Fairleigh Dickinson earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Northeast Conference championship.

  • The first-round game will take place on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

University of Iowa

The women's basketball team at the University of Iowa, a public research university located in Iowa City.

Fairleigh Dickinson University

A private university with campuses in New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson's women's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament by winning the Northeast Conference championship.

Lisa Bluder

The head coach of the University of Iowa women's basketball team, leading the Hawkeyes to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 15 seasons.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to host the first round of the NCAA Tournament and have the opportunity to play in front of our home fans. Fairleigh Dickinson is a tough opponent, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Lisa Bluder, Head Coach, University of Iowa Women's Basketball

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa-Fairleigh Dickinson game will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, which will take place on Sunday, March 23, 2026.

The takeaway

Iowa's consistent success under Coach Bluder has made the Hawkeyes a perennial NCAA Tournament contender, and hosting a first-round game gives them a chance to make a deep run in this year's tournament.