(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford, and the Hartford Business Improvement District will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday, April 12, 2025, to congratulate the UConn women’s basketball team for winning the 2025 NCAA National Championship.
The team won its twelfth national title after an 82-59 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. UConn women’s basketball has now won the NCAA championship in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2025.
The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will step off at the State Capitol building at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street. From there, it will proceed north on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right (east) onto Jewell Street, turn left (north) onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.
The rally will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street, where the players, coaches, and other guests will be invited to give speeches.
“The UConn women’s basketball team has proven that they are the best in the nation, and now it’s time for Connecticut to give them the victory celebration they have earned,” Governor Lamont said. “The student athletes on this team have worked very hard and they deserve to know how much we appreciate everything they’ve accomplished. I urge basketball fans from all over Connecticut to come to Hartford on Saturday morning and let them know just how proud we are of our hometown team.”
As with other victory celebrations that have been held in previous years, this parade and rally are being funded by private donations through sponsorship opportunities. No state or city funding is being used for this event.
To sponsor this event, businesses may choose from several sponsorship levels up to $10,000. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Chip McCabe at the Hartford Business Improvement District as soon as possible at 860-770-0788 or cmccabe@hartfordbid.com.