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Women’s NCAA Tournament 2025: Complete March Madness Schedule and Key Dates

ByCoach

The 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament is set to be an exhilarating showcase of talent, competition, and drama.

With the bracket revealed on Selection Sunday, fans are gearing up for a month filled with thrilling matchups, upsets, and unforgettable moments.

This year’s tournament promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Powerhouse programs and Cinderella stories alike are vying for the national championship.

Below, we break down the full schedule, key matchups, and what to watch for as the tournament unfolds.

2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Schedule

The journey to the championship begins with the First Four games, followed by the first and second rounds, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and finally, the national championship game.

Here’s a detailed look at the schedule:

Selection Sunday

March 16, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

First Four

March 19-20

  • March 19: (11) Iowa State vs. (11) Princeton, (16) Southern U. vs. (16) UC San Diego
  • March 20: (11) Columbia vs. (11) Washington, (16) High Point vs. (16) William & Mary

First Round (Round of 64)

March 21-22

  • March 21: Key matchups include (6) Michigan vs. (11) Iowa State, (4) Kentucky vs. (13) Liberty, and (1) South Carolina vs. (16) Tennessee Tech
  • March 22: Notable games feature (2) UConn vs. (15) Arkansas State, (3) Oklahoma vs. (14) FGCU, and (1) Texas vs. (16) High Point/William & Mary

Second Round (Round of 32)

March 23-24

Games and times to be announced based on first-round results.

Sweet 16

March 28-29

  • March 28: 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. on ESPN
  • March 29: 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. on ABC, 8 p.m. on ESPN

Elite Eight

March 30-31

  • March 30: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on ABC
  • March 31: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on ESPN

Final Four

April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida

  • 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

National Championship Game

April 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, hosted at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida

Key Matchups and Teams to Watch

As always, the tournament is filled with powerhouse programs and potential Cinderella stories. Here are some key matchups and teams to keep an eye on:

Powerhouse Programs

  • South Carolina: The defending champions, led by head coach Dawn Staley, are looking to repeat their success from last year.
  • UConn: Geno Auriemma’s squad is always a formidable contender, and this year is no exception.
  • Stanford: With a rich history of success, Tara VanDerveer’s team is poised to make another deep run.

Cinderella Stories

  • Iowa State: As an 11-seed, they’ve already made headlines by winning their First Four matchup against Princeton.
  • Liberty: The 13-seed faces a tough first-round game against Kentucky but has the potential to surprise.

Future Final Four Sites

While this year’s Final Four will be held in Tampa, Florida, the NCAA has already announced the locations for future tournaments:

  • 2026: Phoenix, Footprint Center
  • 2027: Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena
  • 2028: Indianapolis, Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • 2029: San Antonio, Alamodome
  • 2030: Portland, OR, Moda Center
  • 2031: Dallas, American Airlines Center

Historical Context

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has a storied history, with many memorable moments and legendary teams. Here are some of the recent champions:

  • 2024: South Carolina (38-0), Coach Dawn Staley
  • 2023: LSU (34-2), Coach Kim Mulkey
  • 2022: South Carolina (36-2), Coach Dawn Staley

Legendary Coaches

Several coaches have left an indelible mark on the tournament’s history:

  • Geno Auriemma: UConn’s head coach has led his team to numerous championships, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest in the sport.
  • Pat Summitt: The late Tennessee coach is remembered for her incredible success and impact on women’s basketball.
  • Kim Mulkey: Now at LSU, Mulkey has a history of winning championships and building powerhouse programs.

How to Watch

Fans can catch all the action across various networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, and ESPNews.

Additionally, the NCAA offers live streaming options through their website. This allows fans to follow every game and stay up-to-date with the latest scores and highlights.

Interactive and Printable Brackets

For those who love filling out brackets, the NCAA provides both interactive and printable versions. This allows fans to track their picks and see how they stack up against others.

Conclusion

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be an unforgettable event.

With a mix of established powerhouses and potential Cinderella stories, the tournament promises to deliver excitement and drama at every turn.

Be sure to follow along and catch all the action as the best teams in the nation compete for the ultimate prize in college basketball.

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