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The preeminent women's college lacrosse programs will face off in the NCAA championship game for a second consecutive year.
No. 1 seed Northwestern takes on No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday in a rematch of a game that saw the Tar Heels prevail 12-8 a year ago in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This time, the teams will meet on the Wildcats' home turf.
It's the second matchup of the year between the teams; Northwestern won a 17-16 overtime thriller in Chapel Hill in late March, the lone loss this year for UNC (19-1). That head-to-head victory was the key to Northwestern earning the top seed from the selection committee, as the Wildcats (18-3) dropped games to Colorado, Syracuse and Ohio State during the regular season.
Whatever gripes the Tar Heels might have had about the seeding, now they'll get to settle it on the field. There should be plenty of action, as this game will feature the nation's top two scorers: UNC's sophomore sensation Chloe Humphrey has found the net 107 times this year, a staggering 5.35 goals per game, while Northwestern senior Madison Taylor ranks second at 96 overall and 4.57 per game.
Can UNC win its third title in five years or will Northwestern run its all-time trophy count to nine? Here's all you need to know to watch the final.
Where to watch NCAA women's lacrosse final
The 2026 NCAA women's lacrosse tournament final will air live on ESPN. Fans can stream the game on the ESPN app or via fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time is the NCAA women's lacrosse championship?
- Date: Sunday, May 24
- Time: Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT
Northwestern will face UNC beginning Sunday at noon ET. The game will be played at the Wildcats' home field, Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
NCAA women's lacrosse tournament schedule, scores 2026
Friday, May 8: First round
No. 1 Northwestern, No. 2 North Carolina and No. 3 Maryland have first-round byes. The eight national seeds host first- and second-round games.
| No. 5 Stony Brook 19, Stonehill 5 | — | — |
| Rutgers 12, Princeton 11 | — | — |
| No. 4 Johns Hopkins 21, UAlbany 7 | — | — |
| No. 6 Navy 17, UMass 16 | — | — |
| No. 7 Michigan 18, Mercer 8 | — | — |
| Boston College 10, Yale 4 | — | — |
| James Madison 13, Notre Dame 12 | — | — |
| Clemson 19, Davidson 6 | — | — |
| No. 8 Colorado 10, Jacksonville 9 | — | — |
| Stanford 7, Penn State 5 | — | — |
| Army 20, Fairfield 8 | — | — |
| Syracuse 8, Loyola Maryland 6 | — | — |
| Denver 16, Florida 8 | — | — |
Sunday, May 10: Second round
| No. 5 Stony Brook 10, Boston College 9 | — | — |
| No. 3 Maryland 11, Rutgers 8 | — | — |
| No. 2 North Carolina 17, Clemson 6 | — | — |
| No. 4 Johns Hopkins 21, Army 13 | — | — |
| Stanford 13, No. 7 Michigan 12 | — | — |
| No. 6 Navy 11, Syracuse 10 (OT) | — | — |
| No. 1 Northwestern 17, James Madison 5 | — | — |
| No. 8 Colorado 11, Denver 9 | — | — |
Thursday, May 14: Quarterfinals
| No. 4 Johns Hopkins 13, No. 5 Stony Brook 12 | — | — |
| No. 1 Northwestern 13, No. 8 Colorado 12 (2 OT) | — | — |
| No. 3 Maryland 14, No. 6 Navy 10 | — | — |
| No. 2 North Carolina 14, Stanford 11 | — | — |
Friday, May 22: Semifinals
Semifinals and final will be played at Northwestern
| No. 2 North Carolina 16, No. 3 Maryland 6 | — | — |
| No. 1 Northwestern 16, No. 4 Johns Hopkins 11 | — | — |
Sunday, May 24: Championship
| No. 1 Northwestern vs. No. 2 North Carolina | 12 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, fubo |
NCAA women's lacrosse champions list
Here are the last 10 NCAA women's lacrosse champions and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.
| 2025 | North Carolina | Northwestern |
| 2024 | Boston College | Northwestern |
| 2023 | Northwestern | Boston College |
| 2022 | North Carolina | Boston College |
| 2021 | Boston College | Syracuse |
| 2019 | Maryland | Boston College |
| 2018 | James Madison | Boston College |
| 2017 | Maryland | Boston College |
| 2016 | North Carolina | Maryland |
| 2015 | Maryland | North Carolina |
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