The women’s NCAA tournament reaches its climax this weekend with a Final Four that features four top-seeded programs. No. 1 UConn meets No. 1 South Carolina in the opening semifinal, followed by No. 1 UCLA squaring off against No. 1 Texas. Both games are scheduled for Friday, April 3, and will air on ESPN, with the national championship set for Sunday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The full tournament runs from March 15 through April 5, 2026.
Broadcasters and streaming partners have confirmed that every game in the 2026 women’s bracket will be available across ESPN’s suite of channels — including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNews — while the title game will be carried on broadcast network ABC. For viewers who do not subscribe to traditional cable, the tournament will stream on ESPN’s new streaming tier, ESPN Unlimited, as well as through live-TV streaming services such as Sling, Fubo and DirecTV.
ESPN Unlimited, launched as a higher tier of ESPN’s streaming offerings, will be the primary home for live coverage and will include access to content across ESPN’s seven linear channels and additional exclusive programming. The new Unlimited tier is being offered at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year, and is being marketed as a single destination for live events, studio shows and archival on-demand content. The service also incorporates app-only features branded as ESPN Select, which provides subscribers access to exclusive content and an expanded on-demand library including documentaries and game replays.
For viewers seeking one-off access without a monthly cable bill, Sling TV continues to provide a flexible option. Sling’s Day Pass and short-term weekend or week passes allow viewers to buy temporary access to the Sling Orange lineup that includes ESPN and ESPN2; users can also add the Sports Extra package for expanded coverage that typically includes ESPNU for a small additional fee. Live-TV providers Fubo and DirecTV likewise carry ESPN networks as part of many of their channel packages, offering additional streaming alternatives depending on subscribers’ plans.
The Final Four’s composition — all four teams entering the weekend as No. 1 seeds — underlines the strength and consistency of the sport’s elite programs this season. UConn and South Carolina have long histories of deep NCAA runs and national championships, while UCLA and Texas have risen to sustained prominence in recent years. The matchups set up a high-stakes day of basketball Friday and a marquee national final Sunday that will draw heavy national attention and viewership.
Viewers are advised to confirm game start times and channel availability with their local listings and subscribing services; blackout rules and regional rights can affect access. Whether watching on ESPN’s traditional channels, streaming through ESPN Unlimited, or using a live-TV service, fans will have multiple ways to follow the Final Four and the championship game as the 2026 women’s college basketball season concludes.