UCLA and South Carolina Set for March Madness National Championship Clash The women’s NCAA Tournament will culminate in a high-stakes national championship matchup as No. 1 seed UCLA faces No. 1 seed South Carolina on April 5, 2026. The game, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN, with streaming options available via Fubo. This showdown marks a pivotal moment in the 68-team tournament, with both teams vying for their first title since 2017 for South Carolina and their first championship since 2023 for UCLA. South Carolina, the defending national champions, entered the tournament with a strong record, having advanced through the Round of 62 by defeating No. 16 Southern 103-34, followed by a dominant Round of 32 victory over No. 9 USC 101-61. In the Sweet 16, they edged No. 4 Oklahoma 94-68 before advancing to the Elite Eight with a 78-52 win against No. 3 TCU. Their Final Four appearance saw them overcome No. 1 UConn 62-48, setting the stage for their first national championship since 2017. UCLA, meanwhile, has been a powerhouse throughout the tournament. The Bruins began with a 96-43 rout of No. 16 CA Baptist in the Round of 62, then defeated No. 8 Oklahoma State 87-68 in the Round of 32. They advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 80-56 win over No. 4 Minnesota, followed by a 70-58 Elite Eight victory against No. 3 Duke. UCLA’s Final Four run included a 51-44 triumph over No. 1 Texas, positioning them as the top seed for the championship. The national championship game will be the culmination of a grueling tournament path for both teams.#ucla #south_carolina #phoenix #mortgage_matchup_center #usa_today_sports
