Peter Koutroumpis (@pksport)
DURHAM, NC – The ACC-Champion Duke Blue Devils will host opening-round games in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament starting Wednesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
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2026 NCAA WBB Tournament Bracket
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Heading into this year’s tournament as a three-seed in the Sacramento Regional, the Blue Devils will hold home-court advantage in their Round 1 game against No. 14 seed Charleston at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
As host to a competing four-team pod, play will also feature a First Four matchup between Nebraska and Richmond at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The winner of that game will earn the 11-seed and advance to a Round 1 matchup with No. 6 Baylor at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
This year’s Tournament will mark the third time in four years (2023, 2025, 2026) and the 17th time overall in program history that Duke will play host to start the NCAA postseason.
Prior to 2023, the Blue Devils hadn’t hosted opening-round games since 2017.
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2026 NCAA Tournament – Durham Schedule
|
Round |
Date |
Matchup |
Time (ET) |
TV |
|
First Four |
Wed., Mar. 18 |
(11) Nebraska vs. (11) Richmond |
7:00 PM |
ESPN2 |
|
First Round |
Fri., Mar. 20 |
(3) Duke vs. (14) Charleston |
11:30 AM |
ESPN2 |
|
First Round |
Fri., Mar. 20 |
(6) Baylor vs. Nebraska/Richmond winner |
2:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
Second Round |
Sun., Mar. 22 |
Friday Winners |
TBA |
TBA |
The winner of the Durham pod will advance to the Sacramento Regional for play in the Sweet 16.
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NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Hosting Years
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Opening-round NCAA Tournament games (First and Second) hosted by Duke:
- 2020s: 2026, 2025, 2023
- 2010s: 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010
- 2000s: 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000
- 1990s: 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995
- 1980s: 1987
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