Where is the women’s march madness final four being played? The world has been waiting for it and we have arrived: the women’s March Madness Final Four is here. The women’s NCAA tournament is just one game away from the national championship. This women’s basketball tournament feels different than any other form of March Madness in the past.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, UConn Huskies, South Carolina Gamecocks, and N.C. State Wolfpack has made it to the NCAA women’s Final Four. What can we come to expect from the rest of the tournament? Who will make this year’s final? With all the focus on the star power, let’s look at the host city and where the women’s basketball tournament final will be played.
Where is March Madness 2024 Final Four?
The NCAA women’s basketball tournament Final Four will come from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the national semifinals (the women’s Final Four) before the national championship game.
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse: An Arena Full of History
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse is an arena with history that has gone by a few names. Located in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, it is currently home to the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and Cleveland Monsters of the AHL.
It is also host to this year’s women’s college basketball final. We will see the national title handed out on the floor where LeBron James won the Cavaliers’ first NBA title. It is a perfect venue for a lot of reasons, matching and bettering the venues in Portland (the Elite Eight), and other sites throughout the tournament.
Most importantly, it is a place where basketball fans can come to enjoy the women’s basketball tournament. The national championship means more than perhaps any other NCAA tournament in the past, especially with a record-setter like Caitlin Clark of Iowa in the field.
The scoreboard with flames during player introductions in 2014
Cleveland: A City That Loves Basketball
Cleveland is a passionate city when it comes to basketball, which is why it is perfect to host the Final Four and the national title game. It has hosted first and second round games in the past, so it is a perfect site for college basketball of any kind.
The schedule will see a pair of games this weekend, including perhaps the most outstanding player in the college basketball world: Caitlin Clark. With every game being featured on ESPN, this NCAA tournament will no doubt be raucous and bring all the energy.
Teams like Iowa, South Carolina, and UConn all have built-in followings at their games. Having an underdog like N.C. State in the mix will only make this tournament more exciting and make each win feel bigger than any other women’s NCAA tournament.
The Road to the Final Four
So far, we have had first and second round games in Portland and Albany. The Elite Eight punched the tickets of the Huskies, Gamecocks, Wolfpack, and Hawkeyes, setting the stage for each of these games to have history behind them.
South Carolina made their region look easy, for the most part. It is the third time in four years they are back in the Final Four and they are looking to add to their two national championships. They are the overwhelming favorite to reach the women’s final in this NCAA tournament.
In the other Albany region is Clark and Iowa. The schedule has been favorable to them as they didn’t face a top-3 seed until they met their rivals from LSU. Beating LSU by seven was huge for Clark and Iowa, sending them back to the final four for the second time in a row. They now look to rectify last season with a national championship.
Nothing but respect for Caitlin Clark from LSU's Angel Reese 👏 pic.twitter.com/HeRvrhcEHQ
— ClutchBet (@ClutchBetSB) April 2, 2024
UConn pulled a bit of an upset by taking out USC in the Elite Eight. USC was a top seed though the Huskies were favored going into the game. UConn has history on their side under head coach Geno Auriemma, with a whopping 11 national championships to their name.
Finally, there is N.C. State. They upset Texas in the Elite Eight in Portland, setting the stage for a massive game against South Carolina. Though they had a solid season and it shouldn’t be shocking that they won against Texas, South Carolina is a different beast. The Elite Eight is in the rearview mirror and the season is on the line April 5th.
Not Just a Game: Events and Entertainment During Women’s March Madness Final Four
While the main attraction is the NCAA tournament and the national championship, there is more to do than watch college basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. While it will be fun watching Catilin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and the other stars of the tournament, the events will be just as fun.
Tourney Town will be full of speakers, panels, and other excitement running from April 4-7. At the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland will be Beyond the Baseline, featuring one-on-one interactions with pro athletes, business leaders, fans, and coaches, among others.
For those who are there to see the NCAA women’s basketball tournament only, both of the teams that make the national championship will hold open practice on April 6. It is a great way to see each of the teams as they prepare for the tournament Final (on ESPN).
There is also the NCAA women’s All-Star Game to check out on Saturday, April 6. This will be at the Wolstein Center and will feature players from teams who did not make the Final Four. It is a great opportunity to see some of the best women in the country who didn’t manage to reach this stage of the tournament. Expect a lot of star power.
A view from inside the arena.
Experience Cleveland Like a Local
Before the action on the court unfolds, you can find plenty of things to do all the way through Sunday of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Cleveland has a surprising amount of things to do, whether you are familiar with the city or not.
There are a number of sites worth seeing, but the best part of the city may be the food. When the game ends, you can head out into downtown and begin enjoying all that the town has to offer. Check out these things to do and see while you are in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sites to See
If you want to have a busy schedule while away from the court, Cleveland has you covered. Check out a play at the beautiful Playhouse Square, featuring some of the top shows on tour from around the country.
There is also the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is a must for music fans and will definitely be something you want to take advantage of. While in town, check out a Cleveland Guardians game. The baseball stadium is literally a few hundred yards away from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, making it easy to go from one venue to another.
Local Restaurants
Cleveland knows its food. No matter what day of the week, you will be able to find some of the best dining in the city. Burnham Restaurant, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Flannery’s Pub, Barley House, and Sushi 86 are just some of the places worth checking out.
East 4th has a great mix of restaurants, fun (bowling and comedy clubs) and is just a short walk away from Tower City, where shopping is readily available. There is so much to do within walking distance of the arena, making Cleveland a great option whether you show up on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, etc.
Even if you didn’t manage to score tickets to every game, you can stop at any of the great bars located downtown. April is an exciting time in the Cleveland sports scene, so you can support your favorite team in their hopes of advancing to the next round.
Making History Together
There is more star power in this women’s NCAA tournament than ever. Even though we lost some great teams (like USC) in the Elite Eight, there are still great players looking for a title. Whether those teams advance will largely be up to the stars carrying each team.
Key Players In Final Four
Let’s start with Paige Bueckers of the UConn Huskies. They call her Paige Buckets and she has been on a roll, winning most outstanding player in the Portland 3 region. She might not have the record-setting attention that Caitlin Clark has with Iowa, but she did something special in the Elite Eight against USC, becoming the first player with a trio of 25/10/5 games in one NCAA tournament in the last 25 years.
Speaking of Clark, she and Iowa are on the hunt for the program’s first national championship and to be victorious in this women’s March Madness final four. She will win a lot of the end of the year awards and has won her share already. She is often the best player on the court and was in the Albany region. The past has led to disappointment, but she has her eyes on the prize by getting ready for UConn.
Iowa cashes the SUPER BOOST again in the Elite Eight ✅👏 pic.twitter.com/JUpiIov8td
— ClutchBet (@ClutchBetSB) April 2, 2024
Aziaha James of NC State is also worth watching. The 5’9” guard had massive games against Stanford and Texas in the Portland region and is looking to help NC State win its first national championship. On the court, there will be more eyes on names like Clark, Paige Bueckers, and others, but James cannot be slept on because the Wolfpack have more than earned their way here.
Leading the way for South Carolina is 6’7” Kamilla Cardoso. Head coach Dawn Staley’s team is the deepest in the tournament and easily advanced through each round and the Elite Eight to reach this point. Cardoso has been a major part of that dominance, a force in the middle of the floor as the most dominant center in the country.
Insider Tips for Final Four Fans
There are a lot of things to do that can help make your trip better. If you can swing it, stay downtown. There are plenty of great hotels right in the heart of downtown Cleveland. That makes it a lot easier to go from place to place, especially since they are all within walking distance of one another.
If you plan on eating before or after the game, East 4th is the place to be. There is high-end dining, a few great bars, and even bowling to partake in. You can have a great meal while enjoying the Final Four to its fullest capacity. You will spend a lot less time traveling, which is always a good thing, too.
Dining Options
Check out the dining just outside the city. There are places like Ohio City, located a mere 10 minutes outside of the city limits proper, that have some of the best restaurants you are going to find in all of Ohio. Driving most places in Cleveland is relatively easy, even on a busy weekend like this one.
Finally, don’t limit yourself just to the games. Playhouse Square is a wonderful time. The Guardians play right next door. There is high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment all within walking or driving distance. Cleveland packs a lot to do in a very manageable downtown area, so make sure that you take advantage.
Transportation
If you can help it, take an Uber or a cab where you need to go. Since a lot of it is confined within a few miles of downtown space, you should be able to get where you need to go relatively cheaply. Renting a car is probably fine but it is one of those amenities that you really won’t need otherwise. Going with an Uber or a cab is also ideal if you decide to partake in the wide array of popular pubs and bars that permeate the downtown area.
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland
Why Cleveland Will Host the Best Women’s March Madness Final Four
Many eyes will be on the NCAA women’s March Madness final four. Though there is a lot of star power between UConn, Iowa, South Carolina, and NC State, the real focus should be on Cleveland as the host for the Final Four.
There is so much to do and see that it will be hard to focus on the action on the court. While Portland and Albany have been great hosts, this is what we have all been looking for. Will Iowa advance and win its first national title? Will South Carolina continue its dominance? Can NC State pull off the Cinderella run in both the men’s and women’s brackets?
Cleveland will be the perfect host. The action in the arena will be unparalleled but as soon as the game ends, there will be more to do and see than you could have imagined. Enjoy the great food, the passionate fan base, and all the sites and sounds that Cleveland has to offer as the host of the women’s Final Four.
