The 2003 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 22, 2003, and concluded on April 8, 2003, when the Connecticut Huskies (UConn) won their second straight national title.

This was the first year of a new format, in which the final game is held on the Tuesday following the men's championship, in contrast to prior years, when it was held on Sunday evening, between the men's semi-final and final.

From 1982 (the year of the first NCAA women's basketball tournament) through 2002, the first rounds sites were offered to the top seeds.

Starting in 2003, sixteen sites for the first two rounds were determined approximately a year before the team selections and seedings were completed.

[2] First and Second rounds The following lists the region, host school, venue and the sixteen first and second round locations:[3] Regional semifinals and finals The Regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 29 to April 1 at these sites:[4] Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four held April 6 and April 8 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome, (Host: Georgia Institute of Technology) The sixty-four teams came from thirty-two states, plus Washington, D.C. Virginia had the most teams with five bids.