March Madness: NCAA Tournament Final Four schedule and team matchups

The women's and men's Final Fours are set to tip off this weekend in Phoenix and Indianapolis.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:03pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the energy and movement of a college basketball game, with overlapping angular shapes and vibrant colors representing the players and the action on the court.The NCAA Tournament's Final Four showcases the pinnacle of college basketball, with the best teams and players competing for national championships.Indianapolis Today

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments have reached the Final Four stage, with the women's semifinals taking place on Friday in Phoenix and the men's semifinals on Saturday in Indianapolis. The women's matchups feature four No. 1 seeds, while the men's side has two top seeds and a 2-seed and 3-seed. The women's finalists will be determined on Friday, with the men's championship game participants set on Saturday.

Why it matters

The NCAA Tournament Final Four is one of the most anticipated events in college basketball, with the winners advancing to compete for the national championship. These games showcase the top talent in the sport and will determine which teams will have the chance to cut down the nets as 2026 champions.

The details

On the women's side, undefeated UConn takes on South Carolina, while Texas faces UCLA. The men's matchups pit UConn against Illinois and Michigan against Arizona. The women's games tip off on Friday, with the men's semifinals on Saturday. The winners will advance to the national championship games on Sunday.

  • The women's Final Four games are scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The men's Final Four games are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

UConn Huskies

The defending national champion UConn Huskies are the No. 1 seed in the women's tournament, riding a 54-game winning streak into the Final Four.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The South Carolina Gamecocks, also a No. 1 seed, are 35-3 on the season and have won four straight games entering the Final Four.

Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns, a No. 1 seed, are 35-3 on the year and defeated UCLA earlier in the season.

UCLA Bruins

The UCLA Bruins, 35-1 on the season, are seeking revenge against Texas after their lone loss of the year.

UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies, 33-5 on the season, are led by Hoosier native Braylon Mullins and have five players averaging double-figure scoring.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back in the Final Four and have a chance to defend our title. This team has worked hard all season and we're ready for the challenge ahead.”

— Sarah Strong, UConn Huskies Player

“Facing UConn is always a tough test, but we've been battle-tested all year. We're confident in our abilities and ready to compete for a national championship.”

— Dawn Staley, South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach

What’s next

The women's national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, 2026, while the men's title game will take place on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

This year's NCAA Tournament Final Four showcases some of the top programs and talent in college basketball. The women's semifinal matchups feature four No. 1 seeds, while the men's side has a mix of top seeds and lower-seeded teams looking to pull off upsets. Fans are in for an exciting weekend of high-level basketball as teams compete for the chance to be crowned 2026 national champions.