Inaugural WBCA Challenge announced to take place in November

The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday that the inaugural WBCA Challenge is scheduled to take place Thursday, November 13 and Saturday, November 15 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Fairfield, UCLA, North Carolina, and USF will be participating in the inaugural challenge. This is the second WBCA venture in a competitive space. It will follow in the footsteps of the WBCA Showcase that began in 2024 at Walt Disney Resort in Florida.

“The WBCA is proud to announce the WBCA Challenge! This exciting new college women’s basketball event will be held at Michelob ULTRA Arena which is home to the two-time WNBA world champion Las Vegas Aces,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew.

“The four participating teams in the inaugural event — Fairfield, North Carolina, UCLA and USF — will offer fans four outstanding games over two days and will further contribute to our sport’s growing popularity,” Donehew said.

Donehew continued, “The Aces have an exciting home arena and fan support. We look forward to the college teams enjoying a special professional game experience.”

Here’s the game schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 13

Fairfield vs. South Florida, 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. PST.

North Carolina vs. UCLA, 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Fairfield vs. North Carolina, 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. PST.

South Florida vs. UCLA, 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.

“Hosting the WBCA Challenge at Michelob ULTRA Arena is a tremendous opportunity for Mandalay Bay,” said Travis Lunn, President & COO of Mandalay Bay. “This premier women’s basketball event will showcase an incredible level of talent and we’re proud to provide these student-athletes a world-class stage on which to compete.”

Fairfield (28-5 in 2024-25) is coming off back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history.

North Carolina (29-8 in 2024-25) advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the 2025 NCAA Tournament before falling to ACC-foe Duke. The Tar Heels finished tied for fourth place in the ACC standings (13-5).

South Florida (23-11 in 2024-25) won its second American Athletic Conference championship and made its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history last season.

UCLA (34-3 in 2024-25) is following its most successful season in program history. The Bruins won the Big Ten championship in their first year in the league, earned the overall No. 1 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Women’s Final Four before falling to eventual national champion Connecticut in the national semifinals.

Tickets to the inaugural WBCA Challenge will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.