Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Women’s Basketball Signs on for Inaugural WBCA Challenge in Las Vegas
September 02, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Women's Basketball will be making another trip to Las Vegas in 2025-26 for the inaugural WBCA Challenge in mid-November, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Tuesday. The four-team women's basketball event will be played Thursday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
"The non-conference season is always a great test to see what you're made of," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "We're excited to match up against UNC and for the opportunity to compete against other exceptional programs at the WBCA Challenge this November. I have a deep respect for all the work that the WBCA does, so it was a no-brainer to be a yes for this tournament. I am honored that UCLA will be part of this elite event."
The Bruins open the weekend against UNC Chapel Hill – the 11th meeting between the programs in UCLA women's basketball history – on Thursday, Nov. 13. UNC claims a slight edge in the all-time series, holding a 6-4 record against the Bruins and is currently on a three-game win streak. UCLA holds a 2-1 advantage in neutral site matches, the last of which came in November 2018.
UCLA will face South Florida on Saturday night in Las Vegas to close out the women's basketball showcase. Tip is schedule for 6 p.m. PT. UCLA and USF are currently tied 1-1 in the all-time series, with the Bruins' lone win coming in the 2016 NCAA tournament.
Tickets to the inaugural WBCA Challenge will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
WBCA Challenge Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 13
• Fairfield vs. South Florida – 3 p.m. PT
• North Carolina vs. UCLA – 6 p.m. PT
Saturday, Nov. 15
• Fairfield vs. North Carolina – 3 p.m. PT
• South Florida vs. UCLA – 6 p.m. PT
About the WBCA
The WBCA is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
"The non-conference season is always a great test to see what you're made of," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "We're excited to match up against UNC and for the opportunity to compete against other exceptional programs at the WBCA Challenge this November. I have a deep respect for all the work that the WBCA does, so it was a no-brainer to be a yes for this tournament. I am honored that UCLA will be part of this elite event."
The Bruins open the weekend against UNC Chapel Hill – the 11th meeting between the programs in UCLA women's basketball history – on Thursday, Nov. 13. UNC claims a slight edge in the all-time series, holding a 6-4 record against the Bruins and is currently on a three-game win streak. UCLA holds a 2-1 advantage in neutral site matches, the last of which came in November 2018.
UCLA will face South Florida on Saturday night in Las Vegas to close out the women's basketball showcase. Tip is schedule for 6 p.m. PT. UCLA and USF are currently tied 1-1 in the all-time series, with the Bruins' lone win coming in the 2016 NCAA tournament.
Tickets to the inaugural WBCA Challenge will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
WBCA Challenge Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 13
• Fairfield vs. South Florida – 3 p.m. PT
• North Carolina vs. UCLA – 6 p.m. PT
Saturday, Nov. 15
• Fairfield vs. North Carolina – 3 p.m. PT
• South Florida vs. UCLA – 6 p.m. PT
About the WBCA
The WBCA is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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