The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Regional in 2028 will be played at the Moda Center in Portland.

Scott Leikam, University of Portland Athletic Director: “We are thrilled to be selected as the institutional host for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Regional in 2028, as this marks the first time the University of Portland will serve as an NCAA Basketball Championship host at the Moda Center,” Vice President of Athletics Scott Leykam said. “In conjunction with hosting the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four in 2030, the University of Portland continues to further its legacy as a champion of women’s sports and women’s basketball in the city. This is a great opportunity to continue that tradition. We are thankful to have partners in Sport Oregon, the Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter, Travel Portland, and the City of Portland who have helped bring this to fruition and will be crucial in making this event happen.”

Jim Etzel, Sport Oregon CEO: “We are unbelievably excited for the NCAA to once again choose Portland and Oregon for its marquee women’s basketball tournament,” said Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel. “With a Women’s Final Four on the horizon for 2030, this event will further build momentum in our community to showcase Portland as the epicenter of women’s basketball.”

AJ Zahn, Rose Quarter General Manager: "We are honored to be selected as a host venue for the 2028 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional. The success of recent NCAA events on our campus, along with our upcoming Women's Final Four in 2030, makes Portland a marquee destination for women's basketball. We look forward to working with Sport Oregon and the University of Portland to make 2028 a success for fans, schools, and our city."

The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee selected Las Vegas and Philadelphia in 2027 and Portland, Oregon and Washington D.C. in 2028 to host the regional rounds of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

Regional championship play in 2027 will take place March 26-29, with Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)and Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center) hosting six regional championship games apiece over the four days. In 2028, Portland (Moda Center) and Washington D.C. (Capital One Arena) will host regional play, March 24-27. This will be the first time that the women’s basketball championship has been in Las Vegas since 1991 (West Regional) and Washington D.C. since 1997. It will be the first time for Washington D.C to host regional play. Philadelphia will be hosting its first regional since 2011 and fifth overall, but it’s first women’s basketball tournament action at the Wells Fargo Center since it hosted the 2000 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Portland hosted regional play in 2024 at the Moda Center and is slated to host the 2030 Women’s Final Four.

“The selection of Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington D.C. to host the 2027 and 2028 regional championships underscores the remarkable growth of the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship,” said Lynn Holzman, vice president of women’s basketball. “These cities, recognized as epicenters of the sport, have a proven track record of hosting successful events and possess the necessary infrastructure to support the expanding championship and its two-site regional format. We extend our gratitude to all the bid cities for their participation and look forward to building further momentum for women’s basketball.”

The committee went to the two-site regional championship hosting format in 2023, resulting in record regional attendance the last two championships, with the 2024 regional attendance totaling a record 103,587 fans (12,948 average per session), with games held in Albany, New York and Portland.

“The two-site regional championship format has delivered tremendous results the last two years and we anticipate continued regional growth going forward, especially considering the four cities chosen to host in 2027 and 2028,” said Derita Dawkins, chair of the committee and Arkansas assistant vice chancellor and deputy director of athletics. “Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington D.C. all offer the advantages of playing in metropolitan cities and in playing venues that will enhance the overall championship experience.”

Source: Rose Quarter

Kristina