The 2026 NC women’s ice hockey championship begins with regionals on from March 12-15. The 2026 women’s Frozen Four is March 20-22 at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, PA.
The championship field was announced in a selection show at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 8 on ESPNU with Ohio State grabbing the No. 1 seed. Five conferences were awarded automatic bids with the remaining six teams selected at-large for the 2026 tournament.
See the full schedule for the 2026 NC women’s hockey championship below.
2026 NC women’s hockey championship bracket
👉 Click or tap to see the interactive bracket
2026 NC women’s hockey championship schedule
All times Eastern
- Regional semifinals
- Thursday, March 12
- Friday, March 13
- Regional finals
- Saturday, March 14
- Sunday, March 15
- Women’s Frozen Four
- Friday, March 20
- Sunday, March 22
- Selection show — ESPNU
- 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 8
NC women’s hockey championship history
Wisconsin is the defending national champion after defeating Ohio State, 4-3, in overtime in 2025. It marked the third-straight year that the Badgers and Buckeyes met in the national championship game. Below is the complete history of the NC women’s hockey championship.
| Year | Champion (Record) | Score | Runner-Up | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wisconsin (38-1-2) | 4-3 (OT) | Ohio State | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| 2024 | Ohio State (36-4-0) | 1-0 | Wisconsin | Durham, N.H. |
| 2023 | Wisconsin (29-10-2) | 1-0 | Ohio State | Duluth, Minn. |
| 2022 | Ohio State (32-6-0)Â | 3-2 | Minnesota Duluth | University Park, Pa. |
| 2021 | Wisconsin (17-3-1) | 2-1 (OT) | Northeastern | Erie, Pa. |
| 2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Wisconsin (35-4-2) | 2-0 | Minnesota | Hamden, Conn. |
| 2018 | Clarkson (36-4-1) | 2-1 (OT) | Colgate | Minneapolis, Minn. |
| 2017 | Clarkson (32-4-5) | 3-0 | Wisconsin | St. Charles, Mo. |
| 2016 | Minnesota (35-4) | 3-1 | Boston College | Durham, N.H. |
| 2015 | Minnesota (34-3-4) | 4-1 | Harvard | Minneapolis |
| 2014 | Clarkson (31-5-5) | 5-4 | Minnesota | Hamden, Conn. |
| 2013 | Minnesota (41-0-0) | 6-3 | Boston University | Minneapolis |
| 2012 | Minnesota (33-5-2) | 4-2 | Wisconsin | Duluth, Minn. |
| 2011 | Wisconsin (37-2-2) | 4-1 | Boston University | Erie, Pa. |
| 2010 | Minnesota-Duluth (31-8-2) | 3-2 (3OT) | Cornell | Minneapolis |
| 2009 | Wisconsin (33-2-5) | 5-0 | Mercyhurst | Boston |
| 2008 | Minnesota-Duluth (34-4-1) | 4-0 | Wisconsin | Duluth, Minn. |
| 2007 | Wisconsin (36-1-4) | 4-1 | Minnesota-Duluth | Lake Placid, N.Y. |
| 2006 | Wisconsin (36-4-1) | 3-0 | Minnesota | Minnesota |
| 2005 | Minnesota (36-2-2) | 4-3 | Harvard | New Hampshire |
| 2004 | Minnesota (30-4-2) | 6-2 | Harvard | Providence |
| 2003 | Minnesota-Duluth (31-3-2) | 4-3 (2OT) | Harvard | Duluth, Minn. |
| 2002 | Minnesota-Duluth (24-6-4) | 3-2 | Brown | Durham, N.H. |
| 2001 | Minnesota-Duluth (28-5-4) | 4-2 | St. Lawrence | Minneapolis |
