ESPN has unveiled the schedule for the highly anticipated fourth annual SEC/ACC Women’s Basketball Challenge, marking a significant milestone as the 2026/27 NCAA women’s basketball season begins to take shape. This December, the event will showcase 16 thrilling matchups over two days, all broadcast across ESPN’s family of networks including the ACC Network and SEC Network.
The challenge, set for December 2nd and 3rd, features a compelling slate of contests that pit elite teams from two of women’s college basketball’s most competitive conferences against each other. Among the most anticipated encounters is a marquee showdown on December 3rd, when the NCAA tournament runner-up and current No. 1 team in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, South Carolina, travels to Durham to face No. 3 Duke. This matchup highlights the event’s growing reputation for hosting high-stakes rivalry games early in the season.
Top 10 Matchups Dominate the Schedule
Day one of the challenge will also feature significant top-10 clashes, including No. 8 Texas welcoming No. 7 Louisville to Austin. Simultaneously, No. 10 LSU will journey to Chapel Hill to face off against No. 9 North Carolina. These contests exemplify the depth and quality across both conferences, promising a showcase of elite talent and intense competition that will captivate fans nationwide.
The SEC/ACC Women’s Basketball Challenge continues to grow in prominence, as evidenced by its rising viewership numbers. The 2025 edition recorded a notable 27% increase in audience size compared to the previous year, underscoring the event’s expanding appeal and importance within women’s college basketball.