Below is a full breakdown by sport, including when teams may begin practices and when official competitions may be held.
These dates help ensure fair preparation time and align with academic calendars across member institutions.
| Sport | Practice, Scrimmage & Exhibition Start Date | Competition Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Monday, September 1, 2025 or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier. | Fall games are permissible anytime beginning Monday, September 1, 2025; Spring competition begins Thursday of last full weekend in January (Thursday, January 22, 2026) |
| Basketball (Men’s & Women’s) | 38 days prior to first allowable competition date (Monday, September 15, 2025) | 4th Thursday in October (Thursday, October 23, 2025) |
| Beach Volleyball | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Fall dates are permissible anytime beginning Monday, September 1, 2025; Spring competition begins Thursday of last full weekend in January (Thursday, January 22, 2026) |
| Bowling (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Competitive Cheer | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Competitive Dance | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Cross Country (Men’s & Women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable meet (Monday, August 11, 2025) | 4th Thursday in August (Thursday, August 28, 2025) |
| Football | 24 days prior to first allowable game, not to precede August 1 (Monday, August 4, 2025) | 4th Thursday in August (Thursday, August 28, 2025) |
| Golf (Men’s & Women’s) | 2nd Monday in August (Monday, August 11, 2025) | 4th Monday in August (Monday, August 25, 2025) |
| Lacrosse (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Soccer (Men’s & Women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable game, not to precede August 1 (Monday, August 4, 2025) | 3rd Thursday in August (Thursday, August 21, 2025) |
| Softball | Monday, September 1, 2025 or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier | Fall games are permissible anytime beginning Monday, September 1, 2025; Spring competition begins Thursday of last full weekend in January (Thursday, January 22, 2026) |
| Swimming and Diving (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Tennis (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Indoor Track and Field (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025) |
| Outdoor Track and Field (Men’s & Women’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Monday, September 1, 2025 |
| Volleyball (Men’s) | Monday, September 1, 2025 | Fall dates are permissible anytime beginning Monday, September 1, 2025; Spring competition begins Thursday of last full weekend in January (Thursday, January 22, 2026) |
| Volleyball (Women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable competition date, not to precede August 1 (Friday, August 1, 2025) | 13 weeks prior to the sport’s conference qualification deadline (November 15, 2025); if on a Saturday, the immediately preceding Friday is included (Friday, August 15, 2025) |
| Wrestling (Men’s & Women’s) | 38 days prior to first allowable competition date (Monday, September 15, 2025) | 4th Thursday in October (Thursday, October 23, 2025) |
Notes:
- Scrimmages and Exhibitions may begin as early as the practice start date where noted. See related article re: Types of Competitions
- All start dates are designed to accommodate both athlete welfare and competitive fairness.
- Institutions should also confirm any conference-specific restrictions or earlier reporting requirements.
- New Coach? Start here with Basics of the 24-Week Season.
