The Women’s NCAA Tournament is underway, and Phoenix has been preparing for its highly anticipated Final Four.
A first-time host of the event, the city has poured a lot into planning the event, using creative ways to advertise the games at Mortgage Matchup Center to be played Friday, April 3, with the national championship on Sunday, April 5.
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Since the countdown clock at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was unveiled in August 2025, the city has anticipated welcoming the teams. At Terminal 4 at the airport also features Final Four decor at baggage claim.
More signage was installed around the downtown Phoenix area following Selection Sunday on March 15.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
Basketball player Kolbi Brooks from Desert Vista High School stands by her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on March 11, 2026, in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
Basketball player Kolbi Brooks from Desert Vista High School stands by her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on March 11, 2026, in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
Basketball player Dashia Richardson from Millennium High School stands by her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on March 11, 2026, in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
A mural of four local high school basketball players was unveiled on March 11, 2026, near the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
Basketball player Tahjie Freeman from North High School stands by her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on March 11, 2026, in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
Basketball player Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs from Campo Verde High School stands by her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on stands near her portrait in a mural that was unveiled on March 11, 2026, in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
A mural of four local high school basketball players was unveiled on March 11, 2026, near the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.
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Mural of 4 girls high school basketball players in Phoenix unveiled
A mural of four local high school basketball players was unveiled on March 11, 2026, near the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.
Once the teams and seeds were known, a multi-story March Madness bracket was installed on the east side of the Barrister Building, the first multi-story bracket in Women’s Final Four history.
For those who want to get an up-close look at the ever-changing bracket, a 3D Coca-Cola bracket sits downtown at 3rd Street and Jefferson.
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Nearby the 3D bracket, the Phoenix Convention Center bridge is wrapped with Final Four decor.
Downtown Phoenix Inc. didn’t forget the next generation, as local artist Antoinette Cauley created a mural with four of the state’s top players in a space across from the convention center.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The championship trophy for the NCAA Women’s Final Four stands tall at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The championship trophy for the NCAA Women’s Final Four stands tall at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego speaks to members of the media after a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini speaks to Michelle Gardner, ASU sports reporter for The Arizona Republic, as the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein speaks to members of the media as the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Josh Bartelstein speaks on a panel to kick off the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Amanda Braun speaks on a panel to kick off the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein speaks on a panel to kick off the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini speaks to Michelle Gardner, ASU sports reporter for The Arizona Republic, as the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with panel discussions at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Arizona State women’s basketball coach Molly Miller speaks to members of the media as the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with panel discussions at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with panel discussions at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Jay Parry, CEO of the Phoenix Final Four local organizing committee, speaks during a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego speaks during a news conference at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
The countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with panel discussions at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
Barbara Ryan Thompson speaks during a news conference to kick off the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
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Women’s Final Four countdown begins in Phoenix
A video of Gov. Katie Hobbs plays as the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Final Four begins with panel discussions at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Feb. 24, 2026.
More about the mural: Downtown Phoenix mural showcases girls high school basketball stars
The players depicted are Goodyear Millennium junior Dashia Richardson; Gilbert Campo Verde freshman Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs; Phoenix Desert Vista freshman Kolbi Brooks; and Phoenix North freshman Tahjie “TT” Freeman.
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More changes are coming once the Final Four teams become known on March 29 and 30. The city will install team-specific street signs around downtown, and the convention center will transform into “Tourney Town,” a four-day free event for fans from April 2-5.
Phoenix is anticipating large crowds, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get in the game.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Phoenix is preparing for the NCAA Women’s Final Four