DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke Blue Devils are gearing up for a thrilling start to the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, having clinched the No. 3 seed in the Sacramento Region. They'll be hosting the College of Charleston in the first round, a matchup set to take place on Friday, March 20, at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium. The excitement was palpable as the 68-team bracket was revealed during ESPN's selection special.
Duke's first-round face-off against the No. 14-seed Charleston is just the beginning. They're also hosting another first-round game featuring No. 6-seed Baylor against the winner of a First Four clash between No. 11 seeds Nebraska and Richmond, which is slated for Wednesday, March 18.
Victors from these initial games will battle it out in the second round on Sunday, March 22. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding game times and TV coverage in the coming days.
This marks Duke's 28th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and they're on a hot streak under the guidance of head coach Kara Lawson, making their fourth consecutive trip. The Blue Devils boast an impressive 64-27 (.703) tournament record, with a history of reaching 19 Sweet 16s, 11 Elite Eights, and four Final Fours, the most recent being in 2025.
Riding high from their victory in the 2026 Ally ACC Women's Basketball Tournament, Duke enters the NCAA showdown with a solid 24-8 record. They turned their season around dramatically, going 21-2 after a challenging 3-6 start. Hosting the first two rounds for the third time in four seasons, and for the second year running, the Blue Devils have been dominant at home with a 12-1 record at Cameron Indoor.
Their ACC Tournament triumph was a nail-biter, clinching the title with a 70-65 overtime win against No. 12 Louisville.
This victory marked their 10th ACC crown, achieved through sheer grit and a seven-player rotation. With eight quad one wins this season, Duke is a formidable force.
As one of the 16 host sites, Duke will see tickets for the general public go on sale starting Monday, March 16. For all the details on the NCAA First and Second Round action in Durham, fans can visit the GoDuke.com landing page. The stage is set for some electrifying basketball action, and the Blue Devils are ready to make their mark.