PHOENIX — The NCAA announced that the 2026 Women’s Final Four will take place in Phoenix , marking the first time the Valley will host the culminating weekend of women’s college basketball. The event will be held at PHX Arena, formally known as the Footprint Center and home of the Phoenix Mercury and Suns, with national semifinal games scheduled for April 4 and the championship game tipping off April 6, 2026.

The decision is a significant moment for Phoenix, long known for its strong basketball culture and support of women’s sports. It also reflects the increasing spotlight on women’s college basketball, with recent tournaments drawing record-breaking attendance, television ratings, and national attention.

The announcement adds to Phoenix’s growing reputation as a premier host city for major sporting events. The Valley recently held Super Bowl LVII in 2023 and has hosted multiple NCAA men’s and women’s regional rounds, even the NCAA men’s Final Four twice, but this marks the city’s first women’s Final Four.

PHX Center, centrally located in downtown Phoenix, will serve as the hub for the tournament festivities. With a capacity exceeding 17,000 and a history of hosting WNBA games, the venue is expected to provide a professional and fan-friendly atmosphere for the historic event.

In addition to the games, the city will host various fan events, youth clinics, and community engagement activities throughout the weekend — all expected to boost the local economy and shine a national spotlight on the Valley.

With the rise in popularity of women’s basketball, Phoenix now finds itself at the center of a defining moment for the sport — one that’s been years in the making.