Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Receives No. 1 Seed in 2026 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament
5/3/2026 8:13:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern has received the No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament, with the official bracket revealed on Sunday night's selection show.
The Wildcats have secured a first-round bye and will face the winner of James Madison and Notre Dame on Sunday, May 10, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The program has advanced beyond the tournament's opening weekend every year since 2018.
NU has earned the NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed in three of the past four seasons.
This season, Northwestern swept the Big Ten's regular season and tournament championships for the fourth consecutive year. The 'Cats boast the nation's No. 1 RPI ranking and have seven top-10 RPI wins in 2026. Northwestern has a national-best 11 RPI top-20 wins this season.
The Wildcats have won 10 consecutive games, defeating eight ranked opponents in their last nine games. During this span, Northwestern became the first team since Florida in 2012 to knock off multiple No. 1 ranked squads in the IWLCA poll in a single season.
Ever the road warriors, the 'Cats have gone 8-0 in road games this season, extending their national-best road winning streak to 18 consecutive games.
All roads lead to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, which will host the 2026 NCAA Division I Championship from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24. The facility will be the first venue outside of the Eastern Time Zone to host a Division I lacrosse championship.
Northwestern has won 25 consecutive games at its outdoor home stadium, dating back to April 18, 2019.
The Wildcats have secured a first-round bye and will face the winner of James Madison and Notre Dame on Sunday, May 10, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The program has advanced beyond the tournament's opening weekend every year since 2018.
NU has earned the NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed in three of the past four seasons.
No. 1 Seed ????
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) May 4, 2026
The Lake Show will play next in the second round on Sunday, May 10 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. pic.twitter.com/syxEcWWu79
This season, Northwestern swept the Big Ten's regular season and tournament championships for the fourth consecutive year. The 'Cats boast the nation's No. 1 RPI ranking and have seven top-10 RPI wins in 2026. Northwestern has a national-best 11 RPI top-20 wins this season.
The Wildcats have won 10 consecutive games, defeating eight ranked opponents in their last nine games. During this span, Northwestern became the first team since Florida in 2012 to knock off multiple No. 1 ranked squads in the IWLCA poll in a single season.
Ever the road warriors, the 'Cats have gone 8-0 in road games this season, extending their national-best road winning streak to 18 consecutive games.
All roads lead to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, which will host the 2026 NCAA Division I Championship from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24. The facility will be the first venue outside of the Eastern Time Zone to host a Division I lacrosse championship.
Northwestern has won 25 consecutive games at its outdoor home stadium, dating back to April 18, 2019.
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