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San Marcos Today
By the People, for the People
Setup Underway for NCAA Women's Final Four in Phoenix
The championship event will transform Mortgage Matchup Center into a basketball spectacle for players, fans, and media.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:53am
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The NCAA Women's Final Four will transform Mortgage Matchup Center into a cubist canvas of athletic energy and desert-inspired hues.San Marcos TodayThe NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four is coming to Phoenix this weekend, marking the first time the women's championship will be played in Arizona. Preparations have been underway for 18 months to transform Mortgage Matchup Center into a venue fit for the big event, including the complex logistics of delivering and assembling the custom-made basketball court. Beyond the games, the NCAA is working with the city to create a full weekend of festivities and fan experiences across the Phoenix metro area.
Why it matters
Hosting the Women's Final Four is a major coup for Phoenix, which has previously hosted the men's tournament but never the women's. It's an opportunity to showcase the city as a destination and deliver a world-class event for players, fans, and media. The logistical challenges of transforming a venue built for the NBA into a championship-caliber basketball arena also highlight the extensive planning required to pull off an event of this magnitude.
The details
The semifinal games will be played on Friday, with UConn facing the winner of South Carolina and TCU, and UCLA taking on the winner of Texas and Michigan. The championship game is set for Sunday. To accommodate the large crowds expected, the NCAA is working with the city to create a full weekend of fan events and festivities beyond just the games themselves. This includes a fan festival, live viewing parties, and a free concert.
- The semifinal games are set for Friday, April 4, 2026.
- The championship game will be played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
- Preparations for the event have been underway for 18 months.
The players
Amy Reis
The director of NCAA women's basketball, overseeing the planning and execution of the Final Four event.
Zach Riberdy
The marketing director at Connor Sports, the company responsible for producing and delivering the custom basketball court for the Final Four.
What they’re saying
“Setting up for an event like this is an 18-month process. Hundreds of people coming to and from (Phoenix) making sure everything is set for the big weekend.”
— Amy Reis, Director of NCAA women's basketball
“Most of what we do starts months, if not a year, in advance. We work with the forestry services in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, northern Wisconsin and some parts of Minnesota, making sure we only take wood from areas we know are OK to pull from.”
— Zach Riberdy, Marketing director, Connor Sports
What’s next
The semifinal games on Friday, April 4 will determine the two teams that will compete for the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship on Sunday, April 6.
The takeaway
Hosting the NCAA Women's Final Four is a major milestone for Phoenix, showcasing the city's ability to deliver a world-class sporting event and fan experience. The extensive planning and logistical coordination required to transform Mortgage Matchup Center into a championship-caliber basketball venue highlights the complexity of staging an event of this magnitude.
