Committee moves 2028 Women’s Final Four from Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Lucas Oil Stadium

INDIANAPOLIS – The 2028 Women’s Final Four will move to a larger venue.

On Monday, the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee voted to change the host site from Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Fan interest in the event has skyrocketed over the years and organizers expect that trend to continue. Making the switch to Lucas Oil Stadium will add about 13,000 seats.

“Moving the 2028 Women’s Final Four to Lucas Oil Stadium will allow for more access for our fans, and it represents the continued growth of the sport,” said Amanda Braun, director of athletics at Milwaukee and chair of the committee. “With the interest we have seen, holding the Women’s Final Four in a larger venue in Indianapolis is a natural next step.”

Indianapolis will also host the Division II and III championships during Final Four weekend. The Division I games are scheduled for March 31 and April 2, 2028.

In a related decision, the committee decided to stick with the current preliminary-round format through 2031. That format includes hosting the First Four and first- and second-round games at campus sites hosted by the top seeds.

“We reviewed alternatives to the First Four, first- and second-round format and the regional format, and the data supports keeping our current model,” Braun said. “This will continue to be a point of discussion for the committee as we look to serve tournament participants and fans in the best possible way.”

A survey of Division I members found 85% of respondents supported the current format. The survey included athletics directors, coaches and conference personnel.

The format has been effective, with attendance during the last three tournaments marking the three highest attendance figures for the first and second rounds in tournament history.

The regional round format, which debuted in 2023 and sees the Sweet 16 teams head to two different sites, will also continue. In 2028, the preliminary regional sites are Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C.