First Four for Women's March Madness 2025 Schedule: Game times, dates, where to watch, TV channel, live streaming
The women's NCAA Tournament field has been set. That means we know who will play in the fourth rendition of the women's First Four play-in games.
The First Four for the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament (play-in games to determine the final four spots in the 68-team bracket) is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19, 2026, at campus sites (not centralized in Dayton like the men's tournament). Games are spread across neutral or host locations for the women's bracket.
Who is in the First Four of women's March Madness bracket?
Here are the following teams in the women's First Four:
Nebraska vs. Richmond — Winner advances to face No. 6 Baylor in Regional 2 (Durham, NC site).
Missouri State vs. Stephen F. Austin — Winner advances to face No. 1 Texas in Regional 3 (Austin, TX site).
Southern vs. Samford — Winner advances to face No. 1 South Carolina in Regional 4 (Columbia, SC site).
Virginia vs. Arizona State — Winner advances to face No. 7 Georgia in Regional 4 (TBA site).
What channel is the Women's First Four of March Madness on Today?
TV channel: ESPNU | ESPN2
Streaming options: March Madness Live app | ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The women's First Four games will air on the ESPN family of networks, though TV channels and times are to be determined. Streaming options include the March Madness Live app, the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial.
First Four for Women's March Madness 2026: TV Schedule, Dates, game tip times, channels, streaming
Women's NCAA Tournament First Four Dates: Wednesday, March 18 to Thursday, March 19
The women's First Four will occur on Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20. Two games will be played each day. Here's a breakdown of each day of games:
Wednesday, March 18
7:00 p.m.: Nebraska 75, Richmond 56 - (ESPN2) – Winner advances to face No. 6 Baylor in Regional 2
9:00 p.m.: Missouri State 75, Stephen F. Austin 61 - (ESPN2) – Winner advances to face No. 1 Texas in Regional 3
Thursday, March 19
7:00 p.m.: Southern vs. Samford (ESPN2) – Winner advances to face No. 1 South Carolina in Regional 4
9:00 p.m.: Virginia vs. Arizona State (ESPN2) – Winner advances to face No. 7 Georgia in Regional 4
Have any First Four teams won the women's national championship?
No, in fact Mississippi State is the only team to ever win a first-round game after advancing out of the First Four. Last season the Bulldogs beat Creighton in the Round of 64 before losing to Notre Dame 53-48 in the second round.
Women's March Madness: First Four history, past results
Here's a full list of how past First Four games have gone since it began in 2022:
2022
(16): Howard 55, Incarnate Word 51
(11): Dayton 88, DePaul 57
(16): Longwood 74, Mount St. Mary's 70
(11): Missouri State 61, Florida State 50
2023
(16): Sacred Heart 57, Southern 47
(11): Mississippi State 70, Illinois 56
(16): Tennessee Tech 79, Monmouth 69
(11): St. John's 66, Purdue 64
2024
(16): Presbyterian 49, Sacred Heart 42
(11): Arizona 69, Auburn 59
(16): Holy Cross 72, UT Martin 45
(11): Vanderbilt 62, Columbia 58
2025
Iowa State 68, Princeton 63
Southern 68, UC San Diego 56
Columbia 63, Washington 60
William & Mary 69, High Point 63
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