{
 "updated": "2026-10-04",
 "season": "2026-27",
 "note": "Facts only, each with its official source. Ordered by date. No rankings.",
 "events": [
  {
   "key": "d1-first-game",
   "name": "Season opener: Villanova vs. Notre Dame in Rome",
   "start": "2026-11-01",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Palazzetto dello Sport",
   "city": "Rome, Italy",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-08-28/when-does-2026-27-womens-college-basketball-season-start",
   "note": "Noon Eastern. The only game that day.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d1-opening-day-us",
   "name": "Opening day in the United States",
   "start": "2026-11-02",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-08-28/when-does-2026-27-womens-college-basketball-season-start",
   "note": "A full slate of Division I games across the country.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d1-regular-season-ends",
   "name": "Regular season ends",
   "start": null,
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "not announced",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/championship/division-i/womens-basketball/",
   "note": "Each conference sets its own last regular-season date; there is no single NCAA date.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "selection-sunday",
   "name": "Selection Sunday",
   "start": "2027-03-14",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-08-12/2027-selection-sunday-date-schedule-tv-times-march-madness",
   "note": "The 76-team bracket is revealed. The top 16 seeds are announced the day before. Show time not announced yet.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "opening-round",
   "name": "NCAA Opening Round",
   "start": "2027-03-17",
   "end": "2027-03-18",
   "venue": "Campus sites (12 of the 16 top-seed host sites)",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/news/media-center-ncaa-reveals-new-76-team-bracket-for-di-mens-and-womens-basketball-championships/",
   "note": "12 games among 24 teams, replacing the First Four. Played on 12 of the top-16 host campuses.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "first-second-rounds",
   "name": "NCAA first and second rounds",
   "start": "2027-03-19",
   "end": "2027-03-22",
   "venue": "Campus sites of top-16 seeds",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-08-12/2027-selection-sunday-date-schedule-tv-times-march-madness",
   "note": "First round March 19-20, second round March 21-22, on the campuses of the top 16 seeds.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "regionals-philadelphia",
   "name": "Regional: Philadelphia (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight)",
   "start": "2027-03-26",
   "end": "2027-03-29",
   "venue": "Xfinity Mobile Arena",
   "city": "Philadelphia, PA",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-08-12/2027-selection-sunday-date-schedule-tv-times-march-madness",
   "note": "Sweet 16 March 26-27, Elite Eight March 28-29.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "regionals-las-vegas",
   "name": "Regional: Las Vegas (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight)",
   "start": "2027-03-26",
   "end": "2027-03-29",
   "venue": "T-Mobile Arena",
   "city": "Las Vegas, NV",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-08-12/2027-selection-sunday-date-schedule-tv-times-march-madness",
   "note": "Sweet 16 March 26-27, Elite Eight March 28-29.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "final-four",
   "name": "Women's Final Four: national semifinals",
   "start": "2027-04-02",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Nationwide Arena",
   "city": "Columbus, Ohio",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/womens-final-four/schedule",
   "note": "Tip times not announced yet.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "championship",
   "name": "National championship game",
   "start": "2027-04-04",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Nationwide Arena",
   "city": "Columbus, Ohio",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/womens-final-four/schedule",
   "note": "Tip time not announced yet.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "wbit",
   "name": "WBIT semifinals and final",
   "start": "2027-03-29",
   "end": "2027-03-31",
   "venue": "Koch Arena (semifinals and final)",
   "city": "Wichita, Kansas",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-10-01/nit-wbit-announce-new-tournament-structures-2026-27-season",
   "note": "The 24-team Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament. Semifinals March 29 and final March 31 in Wichita; earlier rounds on campuses, dates not announced yet.",
   "group": "NCAA Division I",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d2-selection-show",
   "name": "Division II selection show",
   "start": "2027-03-07",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-09-01/everything-know-about-2026-27-dii-womens-basketball-season",
   "note": "",
   "group": "NCAA Division II",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d2-regionals",
   "name": "Division II regionals",
   "start": "2027-03-12",
   "end": "2027-03-15",
   "venue": "Regional campus sites",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-09-01/everything-know-about-2026-27-dii-womens-basketball-season",
   "note": "On campus sites.",
   "group": "NCAA Division II",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d2-championship",
   "name": "Division II Elite Eight and final",
   "start": "2027-03-22",
   "end": "2027-03-26",
   "venue": "Allen County War Memorial Coliseum",
   "city": "Fort Wayne, Indiana",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/championship/division-ii/womens-basketball/",
   "note": "",
   "group": "NCAA Division II",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d3-championship",
   "name": "Division III semifinals and final",
   "start": "2027-03-18",
   "end": "2027-03-20",
   "venue": "Alliant Energy PowerHouse",
   "city": "Cedar Rapids, Iowa",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/championship/division-iii/womens-basketball/",
   "note": "Semifinals March 18, final March 20.",
   "group": "NCAA Division III",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "d3-early-rounds",
   "name": "Division III selection and early rounds",
   "start": null,
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "not announced",
   "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/championship/division-iii/womens-basketball/",
   "note": "Not posted by the NCAA yet.",
   "group": "NCAA Division III",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "naia-first-second-rounds",
   "name": "NAIA first and second rounds",
   "start": "2027-03-12",
   "end": "2027-03-13",
   "venue": "Campus sites",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.naia.org/sports/womens-basketball/championship",
   "note": "On campus sites.",
   "group": "NAIA",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "naia-championship",
   "name": "NAIA national championship final site",
   "start": "2027-03-18",
   "end": "2027-03-23",
   "venue": "Tyson Events Center",
   "city": "Sioux City, Iowa",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.naia.org/sports/womens-basketball/championship",
   "note": "",
   "group": "NAIA",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-first-practice",
   "name": "UIL girls: first day of practice",
   "start": "2026-10-21",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-first-scrimmage",
   "name": "UIL girls: first scrimmages allowed",
   "start": "2026-10-31",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "Each team may play up to two scrimmages.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-first-game",
   "name": "UIL girls: first regular-season games",
   "start": "2026-11-06",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "District games cannot start before Dec 15 unless the whole district agrees.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-holiday-restriction",
   "name": "UIL girls: December holiday break",
   "start": null,
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "not announced",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/manuals/2026-27_Basketball_Manual.pdf",
   "note": "Each school takes five days in a row that include Dec 24-26, with no games or practice. No single statewide date.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-district-certification",
   "name": "UIL girls: district certification deadline",
   "start": "2027-02-09",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "Last day to decide district playoff teams.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-bi-district",
   "name": "UIL girls: bi-district round",
   "start": "2027-02-11",
   "end": "2027-02-13",
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-area",
   "name": "UIL girls: area round",
   "start": "2027-02-15",
   "end": "2027-02-16",
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-regional-semifinal",
   "name": "UIL girls: regional semifinals",
   "start": "2027-02-18",
   "end": "2027-02-20",
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "Four schools in a region can agree to a one-site regional tournament instead.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-regional-final",
   "name": "UIL girls: regional finals",
   "start": "2027-02-22",
   "end": "2027-02-23",
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-state-semifinal",
   "name": "UIL girls: state semifinals",
   "start": "2027-02-27",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball",
   "note": "Played at 12 regional-pair sites listed by the UIL, not at the Alamodome.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-state-final-1a-2a",
   "name": "UIL girls' state finals: 1A and 2A",
   "start": "2027-03-04",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Alamodome",
   "city": "San Antonio, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/state-girls",
   "note": "Division 1 and Division 2 finals. UIL says the schedule may change.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-state-final-3a-4a",
   "name": "UIL girls' state finals: 3A and 4A",
   "start": "2027-03-05",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Alamodome",
   "city": "San Antonio, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/state-girls",
   "note": "Division 1 and Division 2 finals. UIL says the schedule may change.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "uil-state-final-5a-6a",
   "name": "UIL girls' state finals: 5A and 6A",
   "start": "2027-03-06",
   "end": null,
   "venue": "Alamodome",
   "city": "San Antonio, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/state-girls",
   "note": "Division 1 and Division 2 finals. UIL says the schedule may change.",
   "group": "UIL (Texas public schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-first-practice",
   "name": "TAPPS: first day of practice",
   "start": "2026-10-26",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "From the TAPPS 2026-27 calendar (Nov 2025). Confirm with TAPPS.",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-first-scrimmage",
   "name": "TAPPS: first scrimmages",
   "start": "2026-10-29",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "From the TAPPS 2026-27 calendar (Nov 2025). Confirm with TAPPS.",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-first-game",
   "name": "TAPPS: first games",
   "start": "2026-11-05",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "From the TAPPS 2026-27 calendar (Nov 2025). Confirm with TAPPS.",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-district-certification",
   "name": "TAPPS: district certification",
   "start": "2027-02-11",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-bi-district",
   "name": "TAPPS: bi-district round complete by",
   "start": "2027-02-13",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "TAPPS lists the deadline to finish the round, not a game day.",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-area",
   "name": "TAPPS: area round complete by",
   "start": "2027-02-16",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-regional",
   "name": "TAPPS: regional round complete by",
   "start": "2027-02-20",
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-2027-Calendar.pdf",
   "note": "Regional games are at neutral sites.",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-state-championships-1a-3a-4a",
   "name": "TAPPS state championships: 1A, 3A, 4A",
   "start": "2027-02-24",
   "end": "2027-02-25",
   "venue": null,
   "city": "Waco and Robinson, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.tapps.biz/athletics/basketball-1/",
   "note": "Semifinals and finals at University HS (Waco), Robinson HS and Live Oak Classical (Waco).",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  },
  {
   "key": "tapps-state-championships-2a-5a-6a",
   "name": "TAPPS state championships: 2A, 5A, 6A",
   "start": "2027-02-26",
   "end": "2027-02-27",
   "venue": null,
   "city": "Waco and Robinson, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.tapps.biz/athletics/basketball-1/",
   "note": "Semifinals and finals at University HS (Waco), Robinson HS and Live Oak Classical (Waco).",
   "group": "TAPPS (Texas private schools)",
   "level": "highschool"
  }
 ],
 "conf_tournaments": [
  {
   "conference": "SEC (Texas, Texas A&M)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-03",
   "end": "2027-03-07",
   "venue": "Bon Secours Wellness Arena",
   "city": "Greenville, SC",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://soonersports.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2026-27",
   "note": "Taken from member schools' official 2026-27 schedules (Oklahoma; Ole Miss at https://olemisssports.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2026-27). secsports.com blocks automated agents, so the conference's own page was not read. Verify by hand at secsports.com.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Big 12 (Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, Houston)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-03",
   "end": "2027-03-07",
   "venue": "T-Mobile Center",
   "city": "Kansas City, MO",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://baylorbears.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2026-27",
   "note": "Taken from Baylor's official 2026-27 schedule. big12sports.com has no 2027 women's tournament page yet (only the 2026 edition at https://big12sports.com/feature/2026-womens-basketball-tournament).",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "ACC (SMU)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-03",
   "end": "2027-03-07",
   "venue": "Spectrum Center",
   "city": "Charlotte, NC",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://theacc.com/feature/womens-basketball-tournament",
   "note": "First Round Wed March 3, Second Round Thu March 4, quarterfinals Fri March 5, semifinals Sat March 6.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "American (North Texas, Rice, UTSA)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-09",
   "end": "2027-03-13",
   "venue": "Yuengling Center",
   "city": "Tampa, FL",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://theamerican.org/sports/2026/7/7/2627champs.aspx",
   "note": "Hosted by the American and South Florida.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Conference USA (Sam Houston)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-09",
   "end": "2027-03-13",
   "venue": "Propst Arena",
   "city": "Huntsville, AL",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://conferenceusa.com/sports/2026/7/16/26-27_championships.aspx",
   "note": "UTEP moved to the Mountain West for 2026-27.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Mountain West (UTEP)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-07",
   "end": "2027-03-10",
   "venue": "Thomas & Mack Center",
   "city": "Las Vegas, NV",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://themw.com/sports/2026/7/2/2627championships.aspx",
   "note": null,
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Pac-12 (Texas State)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-09",
   "end": "2027-03-13",
   "venue": "MGM Grand Garden Arena",
   "city": "Las Vegas, NV",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://pac-12.com/news/2026/9/24/general-2026-27-pac-12-mens-womens-championship-events.aspx?path=general",
   "note": "All 9 teams play. 8 vs. 9 play-in on day one. Seeds 3-4 start in the quarterfinals (Thu March 11) and seeds 1-2 in the semifinals (Fri March 12). Championship Sat March 13. Women's games are played before the men's each day. Texas State left the Sun Belt, so the Sun Belt has no Texas members in 2026-27.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Southland (Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTRGV, Stephen F. Austin, East Texas A&M)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-08",
   "end": "2027-03-11",
   "venue": null,
   "city": "Lake Charles, LA",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.southland.org/sports/2026/4/28/2627SLCchampcalendar.aspx",
   "note": "Hosted by McNeese State. The calendar names no arena. All seven Texas schools appear on the southland.org homepage.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "SWAC (Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-09",
   "end": "2027-03-13",
   "venue": "Gateway Center Arena",
   "city": "College Park (Atlanta), GA",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://swac.org/sports/2022/8/11/MBB_0811223329.aspx",
   "note": "The SWAC page says 'Gateway Center Arena- Atlanta, Ga.'",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "United Athletic Conference (former WAC; Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, UT Arlington)",
   "division": "NCAA DI",
   "start": "2027-03-10",
   "end": "2027-03-14",
   "venue": "Credit Union of Texas Event Center",
   "city": "Allen, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://uacsports.com/sports/2026/6/23/championships.aspx",
   "note": "8 teams. wacsports.com now redirects to uacsports.com.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Lone Star Conference",
   "division": "NCAA DII",
   "start": "2027-03-02",
   "end": "2027-03-07",
   "venue": "Comerica Center",
   "city": "Frisco, TX",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://lonestarconference.org/sports/2026/8/26/202627Championships.aspx",
   "note": "The page lists 'March 2, 4-6-7, 2027'. March 2 appears to be an opening round, and the page does not say where it is played.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "American Southwest Conference",
   "division": "NCAA DIII",
   "start": "2027-02-23",
   "end": "2027-02-27",
   "venue": "Highest seed",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://ascsports.org/sports/2026/8/10/_0810265756.aspx",
   "note": "The page lists 'Feb. 23, 26-27, 2027' at the highest seed.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)",
   "division": "NCAA DIII",
   "start": "2027-02-26",
   "end": "2027-02-28",
   "venue": "Brookshire Grocery Arena",
   "city": "Bossier City, LA",
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://scacsports.com/news/2026-2027/BKB_Champs_SBSC",
   "note": "First neutral-site SCAC tournament, under a three-year deal (2027-2029). Top 6 women's teams qualify. Texas members: Austin College, Concordia (Texas), Dallas, LeTourneau, St. Thomas, Texas Lutheran.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Red River Athletic Conference",
   "division": "NAIA",
   "start": "2027-02-23",
   "end": "2027-02-28",
   "venue": "First round at school sites; semifinals and final hosted by the top seed",
   "city": null,
   "status": "confirmed",
   "source": "https://www.redriverconference.com/general/2026-27/2026-27_RRAC_Championships_Calendar",
   "note": "First Round Feb. 23; semifinals and final Feb. 27-28.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  },
  {
   "conference": "Sooner Athletic Conference",
   "division": "NAIA",
   "start": null,
   "end": null,
   "venue": null,
   "city": null,
   "status": "not announced",
   "source": "https://soonerathletic.org/sports/2025/1/13/Future%20Schedules.aspx",
   "note": "The posted 2026-27 basketball schedule PDF covers regular-season dates only (through Feb. 20, 2027). No tournament dates are posted.",
   "group": "Conference tournaments",
   "level": "college"
  }
 ],
 "ncaa_format": {
  "text": "2027 is the first NCAA Division I women's tournament with 76 teams, up from 68. The NCAA approved the expansion on May 7, 2026, effective with the 2027 championship. The field has 32 automatic qualifiers (conference tournament champions) and 44 at-large teams picked by the DI Women's Basketball Committee. The committee ranks all 76 teams on an overall seed list (S-curve) and places them in S-curve order across four regions. The top 16 seeds are revealed on the Saturday before Selection Sunday, and from 2027 they are bracketed strictly by their true seed. The Opening Round (Wed-Thu, March 17-18) has 12 games: the 12 lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers play six, the 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams play six, and each team faces the closest opponent next to it on the seed list. These games are on the campuses of 12 of the 16 top-seed hosts and cut the field to 64. The top 16 seeds that submit acceptable bids host the First Round (Fri-Sat, March 19-20) and Second Round (Sun-Mon, March 21-22) on campus. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are played at two regional sites, Philadelphia (Xfinity Mobile Arena) and Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena), March 26-29. The Final Four is at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio: semifinals Friday April 2, championship Sunday April 4. Every game airs on ESPN networks. The 2027 Principles and Procedures PDF is not posted yet; the current one on ncaa.org is for 2025-26.",
  "source": "https://www.ncaa.org/news/media-center-ncaa-reveals-new-76-team-bracket-for-di-mens-and-womens-basketball-championships/",
  "supporting_sources": [
   "https://www.ncaa.org/championships/march-madness/selections-101/division-i-womens-basketball-championship/",
   "https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/basketball/d1/common/May2026D1MBOCWBOC_JointReport.pdf",
   "https://www.ncaa.org/news/san-jose-states-jeff-konya-named-di-womens-basketball-committee-chair-for-2027-28/",
   "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2026-08-28/when-does-2026-27-womens-college-basketball-season-start"
  ]
 }
}