The 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four tips off in 37 days, and local leaders, NCAA officials and community partners gathered Feb. 24 at the venue to outline plans for what they called one of Arizona’s largest sporting events.

“This is the moment,” said Jay Parry, CEO of the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee. “Women’s basketball is capturing more attention, more energy, more enthusiasm than ever before… and here in Arizona, we are ready not only to meet that moment, but to exceed expectations.”

Autumn Johnson, an NCAA reporter, Big Ten Network analyst and NBA 2KL host, served as emcee.

Parry noted that last year’s Women’s Final Four in Tampa drew fans from all 50 states and 23 countries, underscoring the global reach of the sport. She said Phoenix is prepared to deliver “an extraordinary experience for student-athletes, fans, the media and our community.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs, in a recorded message, called the event “a major moment for our state,” adding that the Women’s Final Four “drives tourism and long-term economic benefit, supports local businesses and invites the world to experience everything that makes our state special.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego echoed that sentiment, calling the city “a great basketball town” and promising that downtown will “put on a great show.”

“We do an incredible job at major events,” Gallego said. “This will be the best Women’s Final Four.”

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Fan surge, media growth and the state of the game

A panel led by NCAA reporter Autumn Johnson, featuring NCAA Vice President for Women’s Basketball Lynn Holzman, Division I Women’s Basketball Committee Chair Amanda Braun, and Arizona State head women’s basketball coach Molly Miller, highlighted the sport’s rapid rise.

Holzman pointed to skyrocketing viewership and global distribution.

“Last year, the men’s and women’s March Madness games were distributed to 162 countries. This year, it’s 227 — and it is the exact same for men’s and women’s basketball,” she said. “The global reach we have is imperative.”

Miller said the visibility is reshaping who shows up in arenas.

“In the past, you had basketball purists show up,” she said. “Now there’s more interest in the stories and the players… What I’m really seeing are the little boys and girls with Sharpies ready at the tunnel.”

Braun emphasized that investment at every level is driving momentum.

“We’re seeing athletic departments valuing women’s sports,” she said. “Women’s basketball is the highest-profile collegiate sport right now, and it needs the support to match.”

Community impact: literacy, legacy and youth engagement

One of the most celebrated off-court initiatives is Read to the Final Four, a statewide literacy challenge supported by Helios Education Foundation.

This year, 190 schools and more than 12,000 third graders are participating, logging more than 17.2 million minutes of reading. “When reading is connected to something as exciting as the Women’s Final Four… kids show up,” said Helios COO Barbara Ryan Thompson.

The NCAA’s Legacy Project will also renovate the Washington Activity Center in Phoenix’s Alhambra Village.

A downtown built for a championship

Organizers detailed a slate of free, family-friendly events from Thursday, April 2, to Sunday, April 5, all within walking distance downtown:

  • Tourney Town presented by Capital One, a fan festival inside the Phoenix Convention Center
  • Beyond the Baseline, a women-led leadership series
  • Bounce presented by GEICO, a youth dribble parade through downtown streets
  • Super Saturday Practice, where fans can watch the final two teams prepare
  • Super Saturday Concert presented by AT&T, with the musical acts to be announced soon
  • For It All Fest, a new outdoor celebration with live music, food trucks and viewing parties

“You don’t have to have a ticket to feel like you’re part of the championship,” said Visit Phoenix CEO Ron Price. “There’s something for everyone.”

Josh Bartelstein, CEO of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, said the arena experience will match the moment’s magnitude.

“These are events kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” he said. “We don’t take that for granted.”

ESPN promises largest production ever

ESPN Senior Vice President Meg Aronowitz said the network is preparing its biggest Women’s Final Four broadcast to date, with nine production trucks and more than 300 staff on site.

“This will be the biggest Women’s Final Four we have ever produced in terms of technology and coverage,” Aronowitz said.

Near the end of the press conference, emcee Autumn Johnson — summed up the mood.

“It’s getting real,” she said. “We’ll be right back here in April — and Phoenix is ready.”