2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament Odds

Dylan Wilkerson Sports Betting Expert

13 minute read

The road to becoming the Women's NCAA tournament winner is at its final stop. South Carolina pulled off a shocking upset of unbeaten North Carolina, and UCLA topped Texas to set up Sunday's championship game.

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Updated on 4/5/26

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2026 NCAA Women's Tournament Futures Odds

UConn Can't

UConn entered the Final Four with a 38-0 record, solidly favored to make it 40-0 and win another championship. The Huskies were -190 in BetMGM's Women's NCAA Tournament futures odds, followed by Texas +550, UCLA +600 and South Carolina +650.

But the Gamecocks had a different plan in mind. South Carolina outscored UConn 38-22 in the second half Friday night, rolling to a 62-48 upset. Then UCLA beat Texas 51-44 to secure the second spot in the title game.

South Carolina is the -155 favorite in odds to win the Women's NCAA Tournament. UCLA is the +130 underdog to win the championship.

Entering the Final Four, UConn was third in ticket count to win it all, trailing South Carolina and UCLA by about a 1.5/1 margin. But UConn was lapping the Final Four field in money, taking almost twice as much cash as UCLA and ostensibly four times more money than South Carolina or Texas.

However, with such short odds all season, a second straight UConn title was the preference of BetMGM's risk room.

"The Huskies have dominated the competition in the tournament and are the best result on the futures market, with UCLA being the biggest remaining liability," BetMGM senior trader Michael Ranftle said before the semifinals.

So the book is now hoping to dodge UCLA and get a South Carolina championship.

As it turned out, these are the same four teams that were 1-4 in BetMGM's opening odds nearly a year ago. When odds first went up, it was:

• South Carolina +250
• UConn +300
• UCLA +700
• Texas +800

When the Women's NCAA Tourney began, it was:

• UConn -275
• UCLA +500
• Texas +650
• South Carolina +900

BetMGM's largest liabilities in Women's NCAA Tournament futures odds have all been eliminated. Michigan was the worst outcome for the book and got drubbed by Texas 77-41 in the Elite 8.

Texas Tech, BetMGM's second-largest liability, got run out of the gym by LSU 101-47 in the second round. And TCU, the third-largest liability, got belted by South Carolina 78-52 in the Elite 8.

Women's NCAA Tournament Championship Game Odds

South Carolina vs. UCLA Odds

• Opening point spread: South Carolina -2.5
• Opening moneyline: South Carolina -155/UCLA +130
• Opening total: Over/Under 132.5 points scored
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday (ABC)

SECOND UPDATE: As of midnight Saturday, South Carolina is -3.5 (-115) in DraftKings Sportsbook's Women's NCAA Tournament championship game odds. That's up from Friday night's opener of Gamecocks -2.5 (-115), with the move coming early Saturday.

It's heavy South Carolina action early, at 69% of spread bets/86% of spread money. Moneyline players aren't shying away, either, with 73% of bets/72% of money on the Gamecocks, who have moved from -155 to -185.

DraftKings' total is at 127.5, well off the 132.5 opener after a pair of low-scoring Final Four games. The total steadily made its way down Saturday, with stops at 131.5/130.5/129.5/128.5 along the way. The Under is nabbing 78% of early bets/96% of early cash.

OPENING ODDS UPDATE: As noted above, No. 1 seed South Carolina (36-3) shocked fellow No. 1 seed UConn 62-48 in Friday's first semifinal. The Gamecocks entered the game as 7.5-point underdogs.

South Carolina has won all five Women's NCAA Tourney games by double digits, with the semifinal win the smallest margin so far.

No. 1 UCLA (36-1) then held off Texas 51-44 to make it an underdog sweep in the semis. The Bruins closed as 3-point pups and posted their 30th consecutive win, while avenging the only blemish on their record – a 76-65 home loss to Texas on Nov. 26.

Late Friday night, DraftKings Sportsbook opened South Carolina -2.5 (-115) vs. UCLA in Women's NCAA Tournament championship game odds. Check back for more on Sunday's final as the weekend progresses.

Who is the Defending Women's NCAA Tournament Winner?

The UConn Huskies are the defending national champions.

The UConn Huskies entered the 2025-26 season as the defending womens NCAA tournament winner after a dominant performance in last year’s championship. In April 2025, Geno Auriemma led the Huskies to an 82-59 victory over South Carolina in Tampa, Florida, ending a nine-year title drought and securing a record 12th national championship for the program. The victory was a fairytale ending for superstar Paige Bueckers, who capped her collegiate career with a title before becoming the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft. This season, the Huskies remain a top favorite to repeat, powered by Azzi Fudd (the 2025 Final Four Most Outstanding Player) and breakout star Sarah Strong, as they look to build on their legacy as the most successful program in the history of the sport.

Favorites for the 2025-26 Tournament

Several teams stood out as leading contenders to become the next women's NCAA tournament winner, but none more than these four:

1. South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)

Under Coach Staley, South Carolina has built a culture of dominance rooted in elite defense, depth, and unwavering toughness. While they lose key pieces to the WNBA, their ability to recruit and develop talent means they are always in the title conversation.

2. UConn Huskies (Big East)

You can never count out Geno Auriemma. After several seasons plagued by injuries to superstar Paige Bueckers and others, a healthy UConn squad is terrifying for the rest of the country. The Huskies hold a record 11 national titles and have the experience and star power to make it 12.

3. Texas Longhorns (SEC)

Now competing in the SEC, the Longhorns possess a blend of veteran leadership and dynamic scoring. They have consistently been a top-tier program under Vic Schaefer and are poised to challenge the elite for a spot in the Final Four.

4. UCLA Bruins (Big Ten)

The Bruins are consistently among the nation's best, known for their disciplined play and balanced offensive attack. In a tough new conference, UCLA has the tools to navigate the bracket and make a serious push for the title.

Highlights and Storylines from the Regular Season

The journey to the tournament is defined by the moments that shape the contenders. This season has been no different, filled with upset alerts, record-breaking performances, and emerging stars.

• The Rise of the Freshmen: Continuing the trend from previous years, freshman players are making an immediate, superstar impact, changing the landscape of rankings and shifting power dynamics.
• Conference Realignment Chaos: New rivalries were born and old ones intensified as major programs adjusted to their new conference homes, creating unpredictable matchups throughout the winter.
• A "Packed" House: Attendance records continued to shatter across the country, proving that the massive surge in popularity for women’s basketball isn't just a trend—it's the new normal.

How to Watch the Women's NCAA Tournament

Don't miss a second of the action. The women’s tournament is more accessible than ever before, with every game broadcast live.

TV Networks

The primary home for the Women’s NCAA Tournament is the ESPN family of networks.

• Early Rounds: Games will be aired across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews.
• Championship Game: The National Championship game will be broadcast live on ABC, continuing a tradition of placing the biggest game on broadcast television.

Streaming Options

• All games are available to stream via the ESPN app or ESPN.com with a valid TV provider login.
• The games are also accessible through streaming services that carry ESPN networks, such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV.

Where is the Women's NCAA Tournament Championship?

The culmination of the 2025-26 season will take place at the Women’s Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

The national semifinals and the ultimate championship game, where the womens NCAA tournament winner will be crowned, will be held at the Footprint Center, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

Relevance and Impact

The Women's NCAA Tournament has grown beyond a simple sporting event; it's a cultural phenomenon. It drives national conversation, sets viewing records, and inspires the next generation of athletes. The winner of this tournament doesn't just earn a trophy; they capture the imagination of the country and cement their legacy in an era of unprecedented growth for the sport.

Check out the latest Men's NCAA Championship odds for the latest on the men's side of the ball.

Dylan Wilkerson

Dylan Wilkerson has over 5 years of experience reporting and analyzing the sports betting industry for various sites. His portfolio includes work for SportsHandle and Action Network, in addition to VegasInsider. His favorite sports are the NFL, College Football, The PGA Tour, the LIV Tour, and Cricket. Dylan has a broad and deep understanding of various sports-related topics. More from Dylan Wilkerson