The 2026 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament kicks off Wednesday, March 4, and it's happening right here in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With 15 teams battling it out through Sunday's championship game on CBS, this is one of the biggest weeks of college basketball in the state, and both Indiana and Purdue punched their tickets.
Whether you're a diehard Hoosier, a Boilermaker loyalist, or just someone who loves good basketball in your backyard, here's everything you need to know about this year's tournament.
How the Tournament Works in 2026
When the Big Ten expanded to 18 schools ahead of the 2024-25 season, only the top 15 teams based on regular-season conference records qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. That means three programs were left out entirely, which adds real stakes down the stretch of the regular season.
Here's how the bracket shakes out:
Seeds 1–4 (UCLA, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota) earned a double-bye and don't play until Friday's quarterfinals.
Seeds 5–9 (Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan State, Washington, USC) received a single-round bye and enter the bracket on Thursday.
Seeds 10–15 (Illinois, Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin) begin play on Wednesday in the first round.
The championship game is set for Sunday, March 8, at 2:15 PM ET on CBS. The winner earns the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
13-Seed Indiana Hoosiers vs. 12-Seed Nebraska
It's been a tough season in Bloomington. The Hoosiers came into 2025–26 with a young, retooled roster under head coach Teri Moren, and the growing pains showed, particularly in Big Ten play, where Indiana went 3-15 in the conference.
That said, there are real bright spots on this team. Guard Shay Ciezki has been one of the best scorers in the entire Big Ten this season, scoring 23.2 points per game, second to only Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge (23.4). Sophomore Lenée Beaumont has shown flashes of being a go-to player at 13.6 points per game.
Indiana opens the tournament on Wednesday, March 4, at 3:30 PM ET on Peacock against 12th-seeded Nebraska. It's a winnable game for the Hoosiers, and a first-round victory would set up a Thursday matchup against No. 5 Ohio State.
Moren's squad may not be headed for the NCAA Tournament this year, but a run in Indianapolis could provide the kind of momentum a young team needs heading into next season, especially with a highly-regarded recruiting class on the way.
14-Seed Purdue Boilermakers vs. 11-Seed Oregon
Purdue barely squeezed into the tournament field, and the Boilermakers know it. The Boilermakers had lost seven of their last eight games in Big Ten play before a 67-62 win over Northwestern in the regular-season finale clinched the 14 seed and ended what would've been a second straight year missing the Big Ten Tournament.
Head coach Katie Gearlds has leaned on a trio of playmakers to keep Purdue competitive. Tara Daye led the way down the stretch with 18 points and eight rebounds in that must-win finale. Kiki Smith and Nya Smith have both been consistent double-digit scorers, and the Boilermakers showed they can compete when the pressure is on.
Purdue's first-round matchup is against 11th-seeded Oregon on Wednesday night, approximately 8:30 PM ET on Peacock. The Ducks edged Purdue by six points on Feb. 25 at Mackey Arena, so this is a quick revenge opportunity for the Boilermakers. A win would send them to Thursday's second round against No. 6 Maryland.
The road gets steep fast, but Purdue's fought all year to get here. For Gearlds and a program that's rebuilding, just being in Indianapolis is a step forward.
Full First-Round Schedule (Wednesday, March 4)
All games are at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and stream on Peacock:
Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | Platform |
Game 1 | No. 12 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Indiana | 3:30 PM | Peacock |
Game 2 | No. 10 Illinois vs. No. 15 Wisconsin | ~6:00 PM | Peacock |
Game 3 | No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 14 Purdue | ~8:30 PM | Peacock |
Thursday's second round, Friday's quarterfinals, and Saturday's semifinals air on Big Ten Network. The championship game on Sunday, March 8, airs nationally on CBS at 2:15 PM ET.
Top Seeds to Watch
While Indiana and Purdue are fighting from the bottom of the bracket, the top of the Big Ten is loaded this year:
UCLA (1 seed) won the regular-season conference title and enters as the team to beat.
Iowa (2 seed) has been one of the most consistent programs in the country all season.
Michigan (3 seed) earned a double-bye and has the depth to make a deep run.
Minnesota (4 seed) went 22-7 overall with a 13-5 conference record and could be a dark horse for the title.
Ohio State, Maryland, and Michigan State round out the upper tier and all have legitimate shots at reaching Sunday's championship.
Where to Be
If you want to catch the action in person, tickets are available through Ticketmaster with single-session and all-session options. Gainbridge Fieldhouse is located at 125 S. Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis.
A Big Week for Hoosier Basketball
Having both Indiana and Purdue in the bracket makes this tournament feel a little more personal for fans across the state. Neither program had the regular season they wanted, but March basketball in Indianapolis has a way of rewriting narratives. A couple of upsets and suddenly you're in the quarterfinals with nothing to lose.
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