Notre Dame Battles UConn for Final Four Berth

The Huskies and Irish face off in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, kelly green, and white, capturing the intensity and drama of the matchup.Two storied women's basketball programs clash in a high-stakes Elite Eight showdown, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.Fort Worth Today

The sixth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the top overall seed UConn Huskies will meet in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas. The winner will advance to the Final Four in Phoenix. UConn is the defending national champion and has a 53-game winning streak, while Notre Dame is making its first Elite Eight appearance since 2019.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the most storied programs in women's college basketball history. UConn has dominated the series, winning 5 of the 8 previous tournament meetings, but Notre Dame has won 2 of the last 4 matchups dating back to 2013-14. The winner will punch their ticket to the Final Four, making this a high-stakes clash between two perennial powerhouses.

The details

Notre Dame (25-10) is the sixth seed in the Fort Worth Regional, while UConn (37-0) is the top overall seed. The Huskies are the defending national champions and have not lost a game since the 2024-25 season, riding a 53-game winning streak. UConn won the regular season matchup between these two teams earlier this year, 85-47. For Notre Dame to pull off the upset, they'll need to play a nearly flawless game on both ends of the floor.

  • The game will tip off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • UConn and Notre Dame last met in the 2026 regular season, with the Huskies winning 85-47.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The legendary head coach of the UConn Huskies, who has led the program to 11 national championships.

Niele Ivey

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who is in her 7th season leading the program.

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What they’re saying

“We know what we're up against with UConn, but our team is ready for the challenge. We've been working all season for this moment.”

— Niele Ivey, Head Coach, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

“This UConn team is as talented and focused as any we've had. We're excited to compete for another Final Four berth.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's Elite Eight matchup between Notre Dame and UConn will advance to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated clash between two of the most successful women's basketball programs of the modern era will determine which team secures a spot in the Final Four. Both Notre Dame and UConn have rich histories and are led by experienced, championship-winning coaches, setting the stage for an epic battle with a trip to the national semifinals on the line.