UCLA
Took the belt from South Carolina, 79–51, in the 2026 national championship game. First defense Mon, Nov 2.
Chain of custody
All 224 reigns →- UCLABeat South Carolina 79–51Apr 5, 2026 –Holding
- South CarolinaBeat UConn 62–48Apr 3 – Apr 5, 20262 days · 0 def.
- UConnBeat UCLA 85–51Apr 4, 2025 – Apr 3, 2026364 days · 39 def.
- UCLABeat USC 72–67Mar 9 – Apr 4, 202526 days · 4 def.
- USCBeat UCLA 71–60Feb 13 – Mar 9, 202524 days · 6 def.
- UCLABeat South Carolina 77–62Nov 24, 2024 – Feb 13, 202581 days · 19 def.
Football's belt can sit with one team for a season. In hoops, a Tuesday road trip in January can end a reign. In 2025–26 it changed hands 2 times.
The belt versus the bracket
If the holder makes the NCAA tournament, the belt is guaranteed to finish with the national champion: whoever takes it keeps playing until someone knocks them out, and only the champion is never knocked out. If the holder misses the field, the belt can spend March at the WNIT or the WBIT.
Every March since 1987 →- 1. UConn18
- 2. Tennessee17
- 3. Stanford14
- 1. UConn, 2014–1574 def.
- 2. UConn, 2008–0952 def.
- 3. UConn, 2012–1342 def.
Since April 4, 2026. The men's belt →
Today in belt history
All of October 12 →Stories
All stories →Belt FAQ
Who holds the Women's College Basketball Belt?
UCLA holds the Women's College Basketball Belt. UCLA took it from South Carolina, 79–51, on April 5, 2026 and has defended it 0 times since (190 days and counting). It is UCLA's 4th reign.
When is the next belt game?
The next belt game is UCLA hosts Lehigh on Mon, November 2, 2026 at Pauley Pavilion. If Lehigh wins, the belt changes hands; if UCLA wins, it stays put.
What is the Women's College Basketball Belt?
The Women's College Basketball Belt is women's college basketball's lineal championship: one title, held by one program, that can only be taken by beating the holder on the court, the same idea as boxing's lineal champion. It starts with the 1986 NCAA champion, Texas, and has passed through 224 reigns across 1,419 belt games since. Nothing is voted on.
How does the belt change hands?
Beat the holder and the belt is yours; every other result leaves it where it is. Regular season, conference tournament and NCAA tournament games all count. If the holder is idle, the belt waits for its next game, and a holder whose season ends keeps it into the next season.
Who has held the belt the longest?
The most defenses in one reign is UConn's, 2014–15, with 74 defenses. UConn has had the most reigns (18), and UConn has held it for the most days in total (3,958).
Is the Women's College Basketball Belt official?
No. It is an independent fan project; no school, conference or the NCAA has anything to do with it, and it awards nothing but bragging rights. The lineage is rebuilt automatically from the game results every few hours during the season, and the whole thing is free to download.