Where is the Women’s Sweet 16 Being Played? The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is heating up, and all eyes are now on the Sweet 16. This year’s regional rounds will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, at the Legacy Arena — a venue known for hosting high-stakes college basketball and electric atmospheres.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Birmingham promise thrilling matchups, passionate fans, and potential Cinderella stories as the tournament narrows down to the Final Four. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming action.
🏟️ Where is the Women’s Sweet 16 Being Played: Sweet 16 Location:
- Venue: Legacy Arena
- City: Birmingham, Alabama
📅 Sweet 16 Schedule:
Friday, March 28 (All times ET, airing on ESPN)
- 2:30 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m.
- 7:30 p.m.
- 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 29
- 1:00 p.m. on ABC
- 3:30 p.m. on ABC
- 5:30 p.m. on ABC
- 8:00 p.m. on ESPN
These eight matchups will determine who advances to the Elite Eight, and from there, who will punch their ticket to the Final Four.
🏀 Recap: March 23 Results That Shaped the Sweet 16
On Sunday, March 23, fans were treated to a full day of intense matchups as teams battled for a spot in the regional round. Here are some key results:
- Notre Dame powered past Michigan with a commanding 76–55 win.
- Kansas State edged out Kentucky, 80–79, in a wild finish between the Wildcats.
- South Carolina, a tournament favorite, defeated Indiana 64–53, continuing their dominant form.
- Buffalo narrowly survived UMass, winning 84–82 in one of the most thrilling games of the day.
- Tennessee put on a clinic against Ohio State, cruising to an 82–67 victory.
- UCLA also showed their strength, taking down Richmond 84–67.
Other notable winners included TCU, Florida, Ole Miss, and Gonzaga, all of whom advanced and now set their sights on the Sweet 16 stage.
Sweet 16: Game Previews
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the Sweet 16 as the top-seeded UCLA Bruins take on the No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Both teams are coming off hard-fought wins in the Round of 32 and will bring momentum — and grit — into this high-stakes clash.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame will face a familiar opponent in No. 4 seed TCU. The Horned Frogs are making their first Sweet 16 appearance in program history, and they’ll look to make it even sweeter by repeating their earlier-season upset of the Fighting Irish.
UCLA Bruins vs Ole Miss
🐻 UCLA: Business As Usual for the Top Seed
UCLA looked every bit like a No. 1 seed in their 84–67 win over Richmond, although the Spiders hung around longer than expected. Once the Bruins hit their stride, they never looked back, securing a third straight Sweet 16 appearance.
- Lauren Betts was dominant inside, racking up 30 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor.
- Kiki Rice complemented her perfectly, adding 23 points and controlling the tempo.
- The Bruins showed balance and poise, proving again why they’re a title favorite.
Now, UCLA turns its focus to Ole Miss — a team that won’t go down quietly.
🔴 Ole Miss: Clutch in the Chaos
The Rebels pulled off a gutsy 69–63 upset over Baylor, silencing the Bears’ home crowd in Waco and punching their ticket to their third Sweet 16 since 1992.
- Madison Scott hit the go-ahead jumper with under a minute to play, showing veteran leadership under pressure.
- KK Deans iced the game at the line, finishing with clutch free throws after being fouled late.
- Freshman Sira Thienou had a breakout performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
Ole Miss thrives in scrappy, defensive games — and their ability to capitalize on Baylor’s 21 turnovers proved crucial. But against UCLA, they’ll need to be even sharper.
🔍 Matchup to Watch
- Lauren Betts vs. the Ole Miss interior defense: Betts has been nearly unstoppable in the post, and the Rebels will need to throw multiple defenders at her to limit easy looks.
- Tempo control: Ole Miss prefers a slower, physical style, while UCLA can run the floor and beat you in transition. Whoever controls the pace may dictate the outcome.
Turnovers: Ole Miss forced Baylor into 21 miscues. If they can disrupt UCLA’s ball movement, this game could stay tight.
Notre Dame vs. No. 4 TCU
☘️ Notre Dame: Back in Championship Form
Despite a rocky end to the regular season, Notre Dame has returned to dominant form in the NCAA Tournament. The Irish crushed Stephen F. Austin and Michigan in the first two rounds, winning by an average of 36.5 points.
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Hannah Hidalgo, the All-American and ACC Player of the Year, has been unstoppable, averaging 22.5 points, 4 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game on 59% shooting.
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Notre Dame ranks fourth in the NCAA in scoring, and their depth, ball movement, and defensive pressure are once again clicking.
The Irish will look to avenge their November loss and prove they’re still national title contenders.
🐸 TCU: Confidence and History on Their Side
TCU is on a historic run. Sunday’s 85–70 win over Louisville marked the program’s 23rd straight home victory and secured the Horned Frogs’ first-ever trip to the Sweet 16.
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Hailey Van Lith, the Big 12 Player of the Year, has been a game-changer for TCU since transferring in. She put up 16 points and 10 assists in the win over Louisville and continues to lead the offense with poise and fire.
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Donovyn Hunter, an emerging star, added 18 points and has been crucial in alleviating defensive pressure off Van Lith.
In their earlier win over Notre Dame, Sedona Prince had a monster performance with 20 points and 20 rebounds. Her size and presence in the paint could again be a major factor, especially against Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld, who will need to hold her own defensively.
🔍 Key Matchups to Watch
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Hannah Hidalgo vs. Donovyn Hunter: Hidalgo is one of the best scorers and defenders in the country, but Hunter has the quickness and defensive instincts to make her work for every bucket.
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Sedona Prince vs. Maddy Westbeld: This matchup could define the game. Prince’s size advantage makes her a go-to option inside, and if Westbeld struggles early, Notre Dame may be forced to adjust quickly.
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Backcourt Battle: Van Lith and Hidalgo are both emotional leaders for their squads. Their head-to-head duel will likely determine the tempo — and the winner.
🔥 NCAA Fan Experience Powered By Emotions Continues In Birmingham
With powerhouse programs and rising underdogs in the mix, the Sweet 16 is where dreams start to crystallize or crumble. Every game counts, and the energy in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena is expected to reflect that — loud, emotional, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re rooting for a title favorite or pulling for a surprise run, the Sweet 16 will bring top-tier women’s college basketball to center stage this weekend.
