The 2026 NCAA Women’s Tournament field is rapidly filling as the biggest names in the sport secure their automatic bids. Heavyweights like undefeated UConn (Big East) and a record-breaking UCLA (Big Ten) have already locked up their spots, joined by late Tuesday winners Gonzaga (WCC) and Colorado State (Mountain West). With over 15 conferences already decided, the focus shifts to the remaining “Champ Week” finales as mid-majors look to play spoiler and powerhouses aim to solidify their seeding for the Big Dance.
Last Updated: March 13th, 2026
2026 Women’s March Madness Automatic Bid Tracker
Here’s our full list for the 2026 Women’s March Madness automatic bids for you.
2026 Women’s March Madness Automatic bids (Updated March 13)
Here are the Women’s March Madness Automatic bids updated as of March 13, 2026
| Conference | 2026 Champion | Record | Clincher Detail (Bingo Moment!) |
| ACC | Duke | 24-8 | 70-65 OT win over Louisville. (Overtime Bingo!) |
| Big Ten | UCLA | 31-1 | 96-45 blowout over Iowa. (Powerhouse Bingo) |
| SEC | Texas | 31-13 | Beat South Carolina 78-61. (Upset Bingo!) |
| Big East | UConn | 34-0 | 90-51 over Villanova. (Perfect Season Bingo) |
| Big 12 | West Virginia | 27-6 | 62-53 over TCU. (Defensive Battle Bingo) |
| A-10 | Rhode Island | 28-4 | 53-51 over George Mason. (Nail-biter Bingo) |
| WCC | Gonzaga | 24-9 | 76-66 over Oregon State. (March Madness Bingo) |
| Mountain West | Colorado State | 27-7 | 56-42 over Air Force. (Defensive Stand Bingo) |
| Big Sky | Idaho | 29-5 | 60-57 over Montana State. (Close Game Bingo) |
| America East | Vermont | 27-7 | 61-43 over Maine. (Tournament Dominance) |
| Southland | Stephen F. Austin | 25-9 | 71-59 over McNeese. (Return to Dance Bingo) |
| Summit League | South Dakota St | 27-6 | 64-51 over N. Dakota St. (Jackrabbits Bingo) |
| Sun Belt | James Madison | 26-8 | 69-62 over Troy. (Dukes on Top Bingo) |
| ASUN | Jacksonville | 24-8 | 66-63 OT over Austin Peay. (OT Thriller!) |
| MAAC | Fairfield | 28-4 | 51-44 over Quinnipiac. (Low Scoring Bingo) |
| Horizon League | Green Bay | 25-8 | 57-49 over Youngstown St. (Phoenix Rising!) |
| Big South | High Point | 27-5 | 71-67 over Radford. (Back-to-Back Bingo) |
| Ohio Valley | Western Illinois | 26-5 | 71-65 over Lindenwood. (Leathernecks Win!) |
| SoCon | Samford | 16-18 | 72-67 over Chattanooga. (Losing Record Bingo!) |
2026 Women’s Tournament Resources & Coverage
Stay updated with our full suite of 2026 Women’s March Madness guides:
- Printable 2026 Women’s March Madness Bracket – Download our updated PDF with full dates and location info.
- 2026 Women’s Selection Sunday Guide – Everything you need to know about the bracket reveal on ESPN.
- Men’s 2026 Automatic Bid Tracker – Follow the 31 teams qualifying for the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many teams are in the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament? A: There are 68 teams in total. 32 receive automatic bids as conference champions, and the remaining 36 are chosen as “at-large” participants by the selection committee.
Q: Which conference gets the first women’s automatic bid? A: Several conferences crown their champions on March 8, 2026, including the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten, making it the first major day for “ticket punching.”
Q: Where is the 2026 Women’s Final Four? A: The 2026 Women’s Final Four will be held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on April 3 and April 5, 2026.
