The 2025 NCAA Women’s Division I College Soccer Championship marks the 44th edition of the premier U.S. collegiate postseason tournament, bringing together 64 elite programs from across the country to crown the national champion.
With the defending champions, the North Carolina Tar Heels, looking to keep their winning streak alive and an exciting bracket reveal set for November 10, the tournament is shaping up to deliver plenty of drama, standout moments, and compelling storylines.
The NCAA is a nonprofit organisation that governs collegiate athletics at more than 1,100 colleges and universities in the U.S., overseeing competition, rules, eligibility and championships across three divisions.
Kicking off November 15 and culminating with the iconic Women’s College Cup final at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City on December 8, this season promises top-tier women’s college soccer excitement from start to finish.
2025 NCAA Women’s College Soccer Tournament Format and Teams
The 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship runs from November 14 to December 8, showcasing top teams like Stanford, Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt as the number one seeds.
North Carolina looks to defend its 23rd national title, while newcomers UIC and Wagner make their historic first appearances in Kansas City.
The 2025 women’s soccer championship features 64 teams selected through:
- 30 automatic conference championship bids
- 34 at-large teams selected by the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Committee
- The top 32 teams are seeded in their respective regions
- New qualifiers: UIC and Wagner make their tournament debuts, while Sacred Heart returns for the first time since 2001
Top Seeds (2025)
The NCAA Women’s Soccer Committee announced the top seeds following the selection show on November 10, 2025:
| Seed | Team | Conference | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Overall | Stanford | ACC | ACC Champions (PK victory vs Notre Dame) |
| 1 (Region) | Notre Dame | ACC | Top seed in their region |
| 1 (Region) | Virginia | ACC | Top seed in their region |
| 1 (Region) | Vanderbilt | SEC | SEC Tournament Champions |
Three ACC programs earned top seeds, demonstrating the conference’s strength in women’s soccer.
Current Rankings (Pre-Tournament)
Top 25 Rankings (October 3, 2025)
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford | 15-1-1 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 13-1-2 |
| 3 | Memphis | 16-0-2 |
| 4 | Arkansas | Record pending |
| 5 | Tennessee | 9-1-1 |
| 6 | Florida State | 7-0-2 |
| 7 | TCU | 9-1-0 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 6-2-2 |
| 9 | Memphis | 9-0-2 |
| 10 | South Carolina | 9-1-2 |
| 10 | Iowa | 8-2-2 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | 9-1-2 |
| 13 | Mississippi State | 8-1-1 |
| 14 | Duke | 6-3-1 |
| 15 | Georgetown | 7-2-2 |
| 16 | Michigan State | 6-2-4 |
| 17 | Georgia | 7-2-3 |
| 18 | Texas Tech | 8-1-1 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 7-4-0 |
| 20 | Baylor | 7-1-2 |
North Carolina is the defending national champion, capturing their 23rd national championship in 2024.
Tournament Schedule and Dates
Tournament Timeline (November-December 2025)
| Round | Dates | Format | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection Show | November 10, 2025 | Bracket announcement | NCAA.com (completed) |
| First Round | November 14-16, 2025 | 32 games, campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| Second/Third Rounds | November 20 & 23, 2025 | Regional sites | Regional campus venues |
| Quarterfinals | November 28-29, 2025 | Campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| College Cup (Semifinals) | December 5, 2025 | 2 semifinal games | CPKC Stadium, Kansas City |
| National Championship | December 8, 2025 | Final match | CPKC Stadium, Kansas City |
Championship Venue: CPKC Stadium
CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, hosts the Women’s College Cup finals on December 5 and 8, 2025.
Venue Details
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- Capacity: Modern soccer-specific stadium
- Host: University of Kansas and Kansas City Sports Commission
- Future hosts: First Horizon Stadium in Cary, North Carolina (2026-2027)
Notable Teams and Stories
ACC Dominance
The ACC earned three of four top seeds, highlighting the conference’s exceptional strength in women’s soccer:
- Stanford – ACC Champions with dramatic penalty kick victory
- Notre Dame – Undefeated throughout much of the season
- Virginia – Consistent top performer
Emerging Programs
Memphis stands out as an emerging powerhouse, entering the tournament undefeated (16-0-2 record) and ranked third nationally.
Historic Teams
- Tennessee – Traditional powerhouse competing at elite level
- Florida State – Historic program maintaining competitive standards
- Duke – Perennial ACC contender
- Georgetown – Historic Big East program
Tournament Bracket Structure
The bracket features four regions with 16 teams each:
- First Round: November 14-16 at the campus sites of the higher seeds
- Regional Rounds: November 20 & 23 at regional venues
- Quarterfinals: November 28-29 at campus sites
- College Cup: December 5 & 8 at CPKC Stadium
Conference teams are kept apart in the first and second rounds to enhance geographic balance and competitive equity.
Key Tournament Information
Selection Criteria
The selection committee considers:
- Strength of schedule and RPI ratings
- Head-to-head results against quality opponents
- Geographic proximity for bracket pairing
- Conference tournament performance
New Qualifiers
UIC and Wagner advance to the tournament for the first time, representing historic milestones for both programs.
Return to Championship Stage
Sacred Heart returns to the tournament after a 24-year absence since 2001, highlighting the program’s revival.
Women’s College Cup Championship History
Six teams in this year’s field possess a combined 37 national championships, reflecting the dominance of traditional powerhouses:
- North Carolina (23 titles – defending champion)
- Stanford (3 titles)
- Duke (2 titles)
- Tennessee and Texas (each with multiple titles historically)
- Other programs with a championship pedigree
Path to the Championship
The tournament format ensures competitive balance while maintaining geographic considerations:
- 64 teams begin competition in early November
- First Round (32 games) narrows field to 32 teams
- Second/Third Rounds (16 games total) advance 8 teams to quarterfinals
- Quarterfinals (4 games) determine semifinalists
- The College Cup Finals at CPKC Stadium crown the national champion