The women's field hockey tournament at the 2011 Pan American Games was held between 19–28 October 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The tournament doubled as the qualification to the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London, Great Britain.

The United States won the tournament after defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final, obtaining their first title and ending Argentina's streak of six consecutive titles since the women's tournament was included in the Pan American Games in 1987.

Along with the automatically qualified host nation, the eighth participating country was decided in a three test-match series between Cuba (who did not participate in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games) and Jamaica (who would have qualified in the third qualifying position from the 2009 Pan American Cup)[3][4] Eight teams competed in both the men's and women's Pan American Games hockey tournaments with the competition consisting of two rounds.

During extra time, play followed golden goal rules with the first team to score declared the winner.