The Road to the Championship
National Participation
There are 131 NCAA member institutions that sponsor Division I Women’s Lacrosse teams and are eligible to compete in the National Championship. All 131 programs support more than 3,100 women's lacrosse student-athletes across the country.
Selection Process
The championship provides for a field of 29 teams to compete in a single-elimination tournament. Fifteen conference champions qualify automatically; the balance of the field is selected at-large by the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee. The top eight teams in the 29-team bracket for the championship are seeded. The top three teams receive first-round byes.
Division I Selection Criteria
To be considered for selection for the championship, regular-season games that are tied after regulation play must be decided with an overtime period. Teams must play a minimum of 10 contests.
The Women’s Lacrosse Committee will select at-large teams based on the criteria in Bylaw 31.3.3 (as listed below) in addition to the primary criteria:
- Won- loss record;
- Strength of schedule; and
- Eligibility and availability of student- athletes for NCAA championships.
Primary Criteria
*Not necessarily in priority order.
- Comprehensive evaluation of the Rating Percentage Index (RPI – 25% won-lost record; 50% opponents’ strength of schedule; and 25% opponents’ opponents’ strength of schedule).
- Head-to-head competition.
- Results vs. common opponents.
- Significant wins and losses.
- Evaluation of the 10 highest-rated teams on an institution’s schedule; defined by two components: strength of schedule and winning percentage.
Secondary Criteria
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision, the secondary criteria will be reviewed. All the criteria listed will be evaluated (not listed in priority order).
- Late-season performance (last six games, including conference tournaments — winning percentage and strength of schedule).
- Results against teams already selected (including automatic qualifiers).
- Nonconference RPI.
Additionally, input is provided by regional advisory committees for consideration by the Women’s Lacrosse Committee. Coaches’ polls and/or any other outside polls or rankings are not used by the Women’s Lacrosse Committee for selection purposes.
Selection Show - May 9, 2027
The 2027 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship bracket will be announced the first weekend in May prior to opening-round competition.
- Watch live at 9 p.m. on ESPNU
*Time and network subject to change.
First Round - May 13, 2027
Thirteen, first-round games will be conducted at non-predetermined campus sites. The winning team from each game will advance to the second round. The top three teams will receive an automatic bye to the second round.
Second Round - May 15, 2027
Eight, second-round games will be conducted at non-predetermined campus sites. The winning team from each game will advance to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals - May 19 & 20, 2027
Four, quarterfinals games will be conducted at non-predetermined campus sites. The winning team from each of the four quarterfinals will advance to the championship final site. These games will be broadcast on ESPNU.
2027 Women's Lacrosse Championships
The 2027 Women’s Lacrosse Championships will be held at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Baltimore, MD from May 28-30, 2027. The Division I National Semifinals will be held on May 28, 2027, and broadcast on ESPNU. The Division I National Championship will take place on May 30, 2027, and broadcast on ESPN. For the first time, the Division II and Division III National Championship games will occur at the same site as Division I, on May 29, 2027.