IRVING, Texas – James Madison, fresh off an American Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship title defense last weekend, will face Notre Dame in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Friday in Evanston, Illinois.

James Madison (13-6) is making its 11th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, which included a national championship victory in 2018. JMU will make its 22nd NCAA appearance overall, compiling a record of 17-20 (.459) in its prior tournament trips. With wins its opening-round game in the NCAA tournament in two of its first three seasons in the American, JMU would face No. 1 overall seed Northwestern on Sunday in the second round with a victory over Notre Dame.

An American Conference team has reached the quarterfinal round in four of the last five NCAA tournaments. JMU won its first two NCAA games to reach the quarterfinals in 2023, while Florida represented the conference on a run to the final four in 2024.

2026 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP
American Conference pairings

First Round | Friday, May 8 (ESPN+)
at Evanston, Illinois
James Madison (13-6) vs. Notre Dame (12-5) | 3 p.m.

All times are Central