The 2026 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off March 4–8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. To watch every matchup on TV, you’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription for the opening round and a TV plan that includes Big Ten Network and CBS for the later rounds.
This year’s tournament features 15 of the 18 Big Ten schools competing for the conference title and an automatic bid to the 2026 March Madness tournament. Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers missed the cut because of their poor conference records.
Ready for intense postseason hoops action with Big Ten rivalries on full display? Keep reading for complete viewing details so you never miss a moment.
Want more TV sports coverage?
Subscribe to CableTV.com's email newsletter for the latest event-viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
What channel is the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament on?
You can watch the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament on Peacock, Big Ten Network, and CBS.
Pro tip: All Big Ten Network games will also stream on the FOX Sports app. Meanwhile, the championship game on CBS will stream simultaneously on Paramount+ Premium and CBSSports.com.
2026 Big Ten women’s basketball tournament schedule
The 2026 Big Ten women’s basketball tournament runs from Wednesday, March 4, to Sunday, March 8. As the tournament progresses, different networks will carry the action. Peacock streams the first round; Big Ten Network airs the second round, quarterfinals, and semifinals; and CBS broadcasts the championship game.
Check out the full TV schedule below for a complete breakdown of where to watch each game.
| Game | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | |||
| #12 Nebraska vs. #13 Indiana | Wednesday, March 4 | 3:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| #10 Illinois vs. #15 Wisconsin | Wednesday, March 4 | ~6:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| #11 Oregon vs. #14 Purdue | Wednesday, March 4 | ~8:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Second Round | |||
| #8 Washington vs. #9 USC | Thursday, March 5 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #5 Ohio State vs. #13 Indiana | Thursday, March 5 | ~2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #7 Michigan State vs. #10 Illinois | Thursday, March 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #6 Maryland vs. #11 Oregon | Thursday, March 5 | ~9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Quarterfinals | |||
| #1 UCLA vs. #8 Washington | Friday, March 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #4 Minnesota vs. #5 Ohio State | Friday, March 6 | ~2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #2 Iowa vs. #10 Illinois | Friday, March 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #3 Michigan vs. #11 Oregon | Friday, March 6 | ~9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Semifinals | |||
| #1 UCLA vs. #5 Ohio State | Saturday, March 7 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| #2 Iowa vs. #3 Michigan | Saturday, March 7 | 4:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Championship | |||
| #1 UCLA vs. #2 Iowa | Sunday, March 8 | 2:15 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
Data effective as of post date. Times for subsequent games in a session are approximate.
Best Big Ten women’s basketball tournament TV plans
The best TV plan for watching the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament depends on your team’s seeding and how many games you want to watch. With Peacock in the mix, no single service will carry all 14 matchups. But here’s a breakdown of the two I’ll be using and why they work best.
- Peacock (3 games): You’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription ($10.99–$16.99/mo.) to watch the tournament’s first round. I’ll be tuning in since Wisconsin (barely) qualified—otherwise, I’d probably skip this round. Fortunately, college students can get the Peacock Student Discount at $5.99/mo. for 12 months.
- Hulu + Live TV (11 games): Starting at $88.99/mo., Hulu + Live TV isn’t cheap, but it includes Big Ten Network, CBS, and other key sports channels. It’s also our top pick for watching every men’s and women’s NCAA tournament game in March and April.
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Big Ten women’s basketball tournament FAQ
How do I watch the Big Ten women's basketball championship?
The 2026 Big Ten women's basketball championship will air on CBS at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can also stream the game live.
How can I watch the Big Ten women's basketball tournament for free?
You can't watch the entire Big Ten women's basketball tournament for free, but live TV trials from DIRECTV and Fubo let you stream Big Ten Network and CBS without paying. You can also watch CBS for free with a digital antenna or a Paramount+ Premium free trial.
Where is the Big Ten women's basketball tournament in 2026?
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, will host the 2026 Big Ten women's basketball tournament. The indoor arena is home to the WNBA's Indiana Fever.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, analyzed this year’s Big Ten women’s basketball tournament TV schedule and verified viewing options through each broadcaster. Then, Taylor evaluated the best TV services based on pricing, game availability, and ease of use. To ensure accuracy, he cross-referenced his findings with CableTV.com’s comprehensive college basketball coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
