Women's March Madness 2025: Your Ultimate Guide

woman's face with green eyes and basketball facepaint

The Women’s March Madness 2025 tournament is fast approaching, and with it, a new chapter in NCAA Women's Basketball.

With the tournament expanding and teams gearing up for a competitive season, fans and bettors alike are eager to see who will claim the title.

From its humble beginnings to its rise in popularity, Women's March Madness has evolved dramatically over the years. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the tournament, break down the schedule for 2025, and give you a look at the teams to watch.

Contents

  1. The Evolution of Women's March Madness
  2. Women's March Madness 2025: Key Dates & Schedule
  3. Women's March Madness Tournament Structure
  4. Where to Watch Women's March Madness 2025
  5. Women's March Madness 2025 Locations
  6. How to Get Women's March Madness 2025 Tickets
  7. Who Won Women's March Madness 2024?
  8. Women’s March Madness 2025 Predictions: Who Will Win?
  9. How to Max Your Winnings This March Madness


1. The Evolution of Women's March Madness

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, now known as Women’s March Madness, began in 1982, following the NCAA’s decision to sponsor women’s collegiate athletics. Initially featuring 32 teams, the tournament has since expanded, reaching 64 teams in 1994 and growing to 68 teams in 2022, mirroring the men’s format.

Over the years, powerhouse programs like UConn, Tennessee, Stanford, and South Carolina have dominated, with legendary coaches such as Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, and Dawn Staley shaping the sport.

One of the biggest milestones in recent history was the 2022 tournament, when the NCAA officially branded the women’s tournament as “March Madness” for the first time, giving it the same recognition as the men’s event.

With record-breaking viewership and increasing parity among teams, Women’s March Madness 2025 promises to be one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments yet.

 

2. Women’s March Madness 2025 Schedule and Key Dates

Mark these important dates for the 2025 tournament:

  • Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025
  • First Four: March 19-20, 2025
  • First and Second Rounds: March 21-24, 2025
  • Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: March 28-31, 2025
  • Final Four: April 4, 2025
  • National Championship: April 6, 2025

This highly-anticipated women's basketball tournament begins with Selection Sunday on March 16, 2025, when the 68-team bracket is revealed.

The excitement intensifies during the First Four and proceeds through the later rounds culminating with the National Championship on April 6. Recent training camps and renewed team strategies add more layers of anticipation.

 

3. Women’s March Madness Tournament Structure

The tournament includes 68 teams competing in a knockout format:

  • First Four: Teams seeded 65 through 68, along with the last four at-large teams, battle for a spot in the main bracket.

  • First and Second Rounds: Games take place at venues hosted by the top four seeds in each region.

  • Regionals: Matches are held at neutral sites to ensure fair play and an engaging atmosphere for visiting fans.

  • Final Four: The winners meet in a high-stakes showdown leading to the Championship.

Recent improvements in travel and communication between organized officials and teams promise tighter coordination and more exciting matchups.

 

4. Where to Watch Women’s March Madness 2025

Fans will have several ways to follow the tournament live, so here are some of the best ways to watch March Madness:

  • Television: ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and ABC) will show every game.

  • Streaming: Access games on ESPN's digital platforms and the NCAA’s official website, offering high-quality video streams.

  • Radio: Tune in to Westwood One for live radio broadcasts of all matches.

Thanks to any of the above options, you can enjoy reliable coverage and commentary during this year's March Madness tournament.

 

5. Women's March Madness 2025 Locations

The tournament takes place at multiple venues across the country:

  • First and Second Rounds: Hosted by the top four seeds in each region, providing familiar settings and local fan support.

  • Regionals: Held at neutral sites yet to be announced to ensure unbiased competition.

  • Final Four and National Championship: The Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, will serve as the stage for the concluding matches.

And thanks to plans for facility enhancements and improved seating arrangements, each venue promises a great March Madness experience for both fans and players.

 

6. How to Get Women's March Madness 2025 Tickets

Ticket purchases for the tournament can be made through several channels:

  • NCAA Official Website: This platform provides complete ticketing details and updates.

  • Host Venues: Purchase tickets directly at the arena box offices.

  • Authorized Resellers: Certain services offer tickets with added security for buyers.

Securing tickets early remains a smart choice, especially for feature matchups. New digital ticketing options have been initiated to reduce waiting times and improve customer satisfaction.

 

7. Who Won Women's March Madness 2024?

The South Carolina Gamecocks clinched the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 87 - 75 on April 7, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

This victory secured South Carolina's third national title under head coach Dawn Staley, who became the fifth coach to win three NCAA Division I women's basketball championships. The Gamecocks completed an undefeated season, a feat last achieved by UConn in 2016.

Center Kamilla Cardoso delivered a standout performance with 15 points and 17 rebounds, earning her the Most Outstanding Player award. Despite Iowa's Caitlin Clark setting a first-quarter championship record with 18 points, South Carolina's resilience and depth led them to victory.

 

8. Women’s March Madness 2025 Predictions: Who Will Win?

As the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament approaches, several teams have emerged as leading contenders for the championship:

  1. South Carolina Gamecocks: The defending national champions, South Carolina, boast a 30-3 record and recently secured their third consecutive SEC tournament title under Coach Dawn Staley. Forward Chloe Kitts has been instrumental, averaging 16.7 points and 7.7 rebounds during the SEC tournament.

  2. UCLA Bruins: With a 30-2 record, UCLA dominated the Big Ten tournament, defeating top teams like Nebraska, Ohio State, and USC. Lauren Betts has been a standout player, averaging 19 points and eight rebounds in recent games.

  3. Texas Longhorns: Texas holds a 31-3 record and has shown resilience throughout the season. Despite a loss to South Carolina in the SEC championship game, their strong performance against top-tier teams positions them as formidable contenders.

  4. USC Trojans: USC, with a 28-3 record, has been impressive this season. Despite a recent loss to UCLA in the Big Ten championship game, their overall performance keeps them in the championship conversation.

  5. Duke Blue Devils: Duke has risen to No. 7 in the AP Poll following their ACC Tournament victory. Their recent performances indicate they could be a dark horse in the tournament.

Prediction

Considering current form, depth, and experience, the South Carolina Gamecocks are well-positioned to defend their title. Their balanced offense and defense, combined with championship experience, make them the team to beat in the 2025 tournament.

Note: Tournament outcomes are unpredictable, and while these insights are based on current data, actual results may vary.

9. How to Max Your Winnings This March Madness

With 67 games, 10 million+ viewers and $2.7 billion+ wagered each year, who doesn’t love March Madness? But while you may be a fan of backing a bracket and cracking a cold one, you may be missing out.

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