Women’s Bracket Challenge 2026: $125K Prize Pool | ESPN
The 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament is rapidly approaching and the excitement is building. The tournament tips off on , with the championship game scheduled for . Fans are already preparing their brackets for the annual challenge, with $125,000 in prizes available to those who can correctly predict the outcome of the tournament.
ESPN’s Women’s Tournament Challenge is once again the central hub for bracket competition. Participants can create up to 25 brackets, increasing their chances of winning special prizes. The call to action is clear: don’t delay, create your brackets today and invite friends to join the competition. The tournament’s opening matchups begin at on .
The appeal of the bracket challenge lies in its simplicity and the universal thrill of predicting outcomes. It’s a chance for casual fans and dedicated followers alike to test their knowledge of women’s college basketball and compete for a substantial prize pool. The ability to form groups adds a social element, fostering friendly rivalries and shared excitement throughout the tournament’s duration.
Beyond the bracket challenge, ESPN is providing comprehensive coverage of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. A printable bracket is available for those who prefer a more traditional approach to tracking the games. This allows fans to follow the action offline, marking their predictions and comparing them to the unfolding results.
While the bracket is now set, analysis and predictions are still flowing. ESPN’s Charlie Creme recently projected the entire tournament field, and now is offering instant bracket predictions for every game. Creme emphasizes the importance of trusting instincts and making quick assessments when filling out a bracket, acknowledging the blend of knowledge and gut feeling that goes into successful predictions.
Creme’s initial picks offer a glimpse into potential early-round upsets and key matchups. In the Sacramento Regional, No. 11 Nebraska is projected to defeat No. 11 Richmond, while in the Fort Worth Regional, No. 16 Stephen F. Austin is favored over No. 16 Missouri State. The Sacramento Regional also sees No. 10 Arizona State predicted to edge out No. 10 Virginia, and No. 16 Southern Jaguars overcoming No. 16 Samford Bulldogs.
Looking at the First Round picks in the Fort Worth Regional, No. 1 UConn is heavily favored against No. 16 UTSA, and No. 8 Iowa State is expected to overcome No. 9 Syracuse. Other projected winners include No. 5 Maryland over No. 12 Murray State, No. 4 North Carolina against No. 13 Western Illinois, No. 6 Notre Dame defeating No. 11 Fairfield, No. 3 Ohio State over No. 14 Howard, No. 10 Colorado edging out No. 7 Illinois, and No. 2 Vanderbilt triumphing over No. 15 High Point.
The tournament’s structure, with its First Four games leading into the main bracket, creates opportunities for Cinderella stories and unexpected runs. While top seeds are often favored, the single-elimination format means that any team can have a hot shooting night or capitalize on opponent’s mistakes. This inherent unpredictability is a major part of what makes March Madness so captivating.
The $125,000 prize pool adds another layer of excitement to the ESPN Women’s Tournament Challenge. Participants who fill out 25 brackets are eligible for special prizes, incentivizing a more thorough and strategic approach to bracket selection. The combination of competition, prizes, and the thrill of predicting the outcome of the tournament is sure to draw a large number of participants.
As the tournament nears, fans are encouraged to sign up for the Women’s Tournament Challenge and prepare their brackets. The opening tip-off on marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of women’s college basketball, filled with exciting games, dramatic upsets, and the pursuit of a national championship. The official rules, terms of use, and privacy policies for the challenge are available on the ESPN website.
The 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament promises to be a showcase of talent, athleticism, and competitive spirit. With comprehensive coverage from ESPN and a compelling bracket challenge, fans have multiple avenues to engage with the tournament and experience the excitement of March Madness.