How has Women’s March Madness changed alongside ‘crazy’ growth? We asked 5 players

April 2, 2026

In a USA Today piece timed to the 2026 Women’s Final Four, five NCAA Tournament players reflect on how “Women’s March Madness” has changed as the sport grows in visibility, revenue, and fan intensity.

Players describe the tournament atmosphere as louder, more packed, and more media‑heavy than just a few years ago, with larger crowds, biggerESPN‑style stage setups, and more sponsors visibly involved. They note that the “March Madness” branding now applies equally to the women’s event, giving it a more mainstream, big‑time feel.

The athletes point to the new performance‑unit payout system—where schools earn NCAA‑distributed money for each tournament win—as a concrete shift that raises the stakes and validates the women’s side as a real revenue driver. Several also mention better campus‑site hosting, more robust on‑site logistics, and expanded TV coverage as signs that the tournament is being treated more like its men’s counterpart.

Despite the better conditions, the players also talk about heightened pressure and scrutiny, from betting‑related attention to viral social‑media moments that can amplify both praise and criticism. At the same time, they embrace the chance to compete in a bigger‑stage Women’s March Madness, seeing it as a platform to secure their own legacies and push the sport further into the mainstream. USA Today