The University of North Carolina has released its 2026‑27 women’s basketball non‑conference schedule, a 14‑game slate that also includes 18 home contests – the most the program has hosted since the 2017‑18 season.
The expansion of the NCAA regular‑season limit to 32 games for the 2026‑27 year gave the coaching staff the flexibility to arrange a demanding out‑of‑conference lineup while still preserving a strong ACC focus.
Early in the season the Tar Heels will meet five Power Four opponents, among them Oklahoma, South Carolina and LSU, all of which advanced to the Sweet 16 a year ago, providing a tough test before conference play begins.
Key matchups and historic firsts
Neutral‑site events will take the team to three locations: the inaugural European appearance in Paris, the Ally Tipoff in Charlotte and the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, while a first‑ever visit to the historic Palestra in Philadelphia will add a historic footnote to the schedule.
Thanksgiving week and the first half of December bring a three‑game home stretch, highlighted by a second Black Friday home game in three years, marking the longest home stand since 2017‑18.
By confronting a rigorous non‑conference slate, the program aims to sharpen its résumé and keep the streak of NCAA Tournament appearances that has placed the team in the Sweet 16 in recent years.