The era of the “First Four” has evolved. Following the NCAA’s historic approval of tournament expansion, the 2027 Women’s March Madness schedule will be the first to feature a 76-team field. This expansion introduces a massive 12-game Opening Round played at campus sites, providing even more opportunities for student-athletes on the road to the Final Four in Columbus, Ohio.
Whether you’re tracking the defending champions or looking for the next mid-major Cinderella, our signature printable PDF bracket has been redesigned to accommodate the new 76-team format.
2027 Women’s March Madness Key Dates
Here are the key dates for the 2027 Women’s March Madness schedule for you. The 2027 tournament officially begins on March 14. With the shift to 76 teams, the Opening Round now features 12 matchups involving 24 teams (the 12 lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams).
- National Championship: Sunday, April 4, 2027 (Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH)
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 14, 2027 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- Opening Round (12 Games): Wednesday, March 17 & Thursday, March 18
- First Round (32 Games): Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20
- Second Round (16 Games): Sunday, March 21 & Monday, March 22
- Sweet 16 (8 Games): Friday, March 26 & Saturday, March 27
- Elite Eight (4 Games): Sunday, March 28 & Monday, March 29
- Final Four: Friday, April 2, 2027 (Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH)
[FREE DOWNLOAD] 2027 Women’s March Madness Printable Bracket (PDF)
Don’t wait until Selection Sunday to get organized. Our 2027 printable bracket is designed for office pools and home tracking, featuring the official 76-team layout.
2027 Regional Host Sites
The tournament continues its “Two-Regional” format, consolidating the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight into two high-octane neutral sites.
| Round | Regional 1 (East) | Regional 2 (West) |
| Sweet 16 & Elite Eight | Philadelphia, PA | Las Vegas, NV |
| Venue | Xfinity Mobile Arena | T-Mobile Arena |
| Dates | March 26–29, 2027 | March 26–29, 2027 |
Don’t Forget the Men’s Bracket: The Road to Detroit
While the women’s stars head to Columbus, the 2027 Men’s NCAA Tournament will be carving its own path to the Motor City. The men’s action officially kicks off with the First Four in Dayton on March 16-17, 2027, and will culminate with the National Championship on Monday, April 5, 2027, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. With both tournaments running simultaneously, it’s the ultimate month for college hoops fans. For the full list of men’s host sites, key dates, and our signature pre-filled bracket, visit our Official 2027 Men’s March Madness Schedule & Printable Bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2027 Women’s Tournament
Where is the 2027 Women’s Final Four? The 2027 Final Four and National Championship will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
What channel is Women’s March Madness on in 2027? ESPN remains the exclusive home of the tournament. Most marquee matchups, including the Final Four and Championship, will air on ABC and ESPN.
How many teams are in the Women’s NCAA Tournament? The tournament features 68 teams, starting with the First Four play-in games.
When is Selection Sunday for 2027? The brackets will be revealed on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.
What is the “Opening Round” in 2027? The Opening Round replaces the “First Four.” It consists of 12 games played across two days (March 17–18) at the home campuses of the top 16 seeds. The 24 teams in this round include the lowest-ranked automatic and at-large bids.
Where is the 2027 Women’s Final Four? The Final Four and National Championship will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on April 2 and April 4.
What channel is the Women’s tournament on? ESPN remains the exclusive home. Games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS, with every game available for streaming via the ESPN app.
