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Graphic celebrating the Texas A&M University–San Antonio women’s basketball team qualifying for the 2026 NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship. On the left, a red ticket-style design reads ‘Ticket Punched’ with the NAIA championship logo and ‘The Right Way to Play.’ On the right, Junior Kiera Sanderlin in a white ‘Jaguars’ jersey holds the ball while being closely defended during a game.
Posted: Mar 06, 2026

Women's Basketball Qualifies for the NAIA Tournament

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [Video Announcement | 1st & 2nd Round Schedule Page | Bracket] The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially announced the teams and bracket for the 2026 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds, presented by Ballogy. The 64-team bracket will begin with the First and Second Rounds at host sites nationwide on March 13-14. The 2026 NAIA Second Round winners will meet in Sioux City, Iowa, at the NAIA Championship final site presented by Bomgaars and Sterling. The 45th annual championship occurs at the Tyson Events Center from March 19-24.

This year's First Round field includes 35 automatic qualifiers and 29 at-large selections. Automatic berths were given to teams that either won their respective conference tournament title or regular season championship, finished runner-up at the conference tournament or were otherwise selected by the conference. The NAIA Women's Basketball National Selection Committee determined the at-large bids. The selection committee consists of one representative from each geographical area and six at-large members, comprised of coaches and administrators from around the country.

The Crossroads League leads the way with seven teams qualifying for the national tournament, while the Cascade Collegiate Conference, Great Plains Athletic Conference and Mid-South Conference all qualified six teams. 

There is one new team entering the championship field, Texas A&M - San Antonio, that is checking in for the first time. On the other end of the field, Campbellsville (Ky.) returns to the field for the 34th time. The Tigers hold the most appearances in championship history. College of the Ozarks (Mo.) also boasts 30 appearances in the championship field. 

Brescia (Ky.) last appeared in the championship field in 2008 and ended an 18-year drought with their qualification to the 2026 championship with an automatic bid after being the River States Conference Tournament Runner-Up. 

Eleven teams in the field boast one or more titles. Northwestern (Iowa) has claimed five Red Banners and is followed closely by Hastings (Neb.), which has three of its own. Two-time defending national champion, Dordt (Iowa), returns to the field after earning back-to-back Red Banners in Sioux City. Marian (Ind.) and Indiana Wesleyan have also won multiple titles, while Concordia (Neb.), Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), Saint Francis (Ind.), Shawnee State (Ohio) and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) each have one.

The first and second round host sites were announced earlier this week Click Here for host locations.

The host will stream all First and Second Round games for free to the NAIA Channel on the Urban Edge Network. For more information on how to watch go to naia.org/watch.