With the 2025-26 regular season complete, the field has been set for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association postseason. The 2026 WCHA First Round will begin on Friday, February 27.
For the second-consecutive season and 11th time in program history, Wisconsin claimed the WCHA regular season champion title and will be the tournament’s top seed. The Badgers are set to host #8 Bemidji State in Madison. The Ohio State Buckeyes earned the 2-seed and will host #7 St. Thomas. Minnesota will be the 3-seed in the postseason and host #6 St. Cloud State, while Minnesota Duluth will be the 4-seed and host #5 Minnesota State.
The four winners of the best-of-three first-round series advance to the 2026 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff, held March 5-7 at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on the campus of the University of St. Thomas. Annually featuring a collection of the nation's highest-ranked programs and best players, the WCHA's four remaining teams will compete for the league's playoff championship and an automatic berth in the 2026 NCAA tournament. Fans can purchase all-session and single-session tickets for the 2026 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff at the link HERE.
First-Round Pairings and Schedule
#8 Bemidji State at #1 Wisconsin (La Bahn Arena – Madison, Wis.)
Game 1 – Friday, Feb. 27: 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, Feb. 28: 3 p.m.
Game 3 – Sunday, March 1: 2 p.m. (if necessary)
#7 St. Thomas at #2 Ohio State (OSU Ice Rink – Columbus, Ohio)
Game 1 – Friday, Feb. 27: 6 p.m. ET
Game 2 – Saturday, Feb. 28: 3 p.m. ET
Game 3 – Sunday, March 1: 3 p.m. ET (if necessary)
#6 St. Cloud State at #3 Minnesota (Ridder Arena – Minneapolis, Minn.)
Game 1 – Friday, Feb. 27: 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, Feb. 28: 2 p.m.
Game 3 – Sunday, March 1: 3 p.m. (if necessary)
#5 Minnesota State at #4 Minnesota Duluth (AMSOIL Arena – Duluth, Minn.)
Game 1 – Friday, Feb. 27: 2 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, Feb. 28: 1 p.m.
Game 3 – Sunday, March 1: 1 p.m. (if necessary)
2026 KWIK TRIP WCHA FINAL FACEOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, March 5, 2026
Semifinal Game 1 – 4:02 p.m. CT
Semifinal Game 2 –7:32 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Final – 2:02 p.m. CT
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.