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 | Start Date for Practices, Scrimmages & Exhibitions | Start Date for Competitions |
Baseball |
September 1 or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | Thursday of last full weekend in January for games occurring after winter break; Fall games are permissible anytime beginning September 1 Fall Games: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 Post-Winter Break: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 |
Basketball (men’s & women’s) | 38 days prior to first allowable competition date. Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 | 4th Thursday in October Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 |
Beach volleyball | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | Thursday of last full weekend in January for dates occurring after winter break; Fall dates are permissible anytime beginning September 1 Fall Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 Post-Winter Break: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 |
Bowling (men’s & women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Competitive cheer | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Competitive dance | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Cross country (men’s & women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable meet Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 | 4th Thursday in August Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 |
Flag Football (women’s) | September 1 or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | Thursday of the last full weekend in January for games occurring after winter break. Fall contests are permissible anytime beginning September 1 Fall Contests: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 Post-Winter Break: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 |
Football | 24 days prior to first allowable game, not to precede August 1 Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 | 4th Thursday in August Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 |
Golf (men’s & women’s) | 2nd Monday in August Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 | 4th Monday in August Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 |
Lacrosse (men’s & women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Soccer (men’s & women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable game, not to precede August 1 Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 | 3rd Thursday in August Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 |
Softball | September 1 or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | Thursday of last full weekend in January for games occurring after winter break; Fall games are permissible anytime beginning September 1 Fall Games: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 Post-Winter Break: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 |
Swimming and diving (men’s & women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Tennis (men’s & women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | Sepember 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Indoor track and field (men’s &women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Outdoor track and field (men’s & women’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 |
Volleyball (men’s) | September 1 Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 | 14 Thursdays prior to the sport’s conference qualification deadline; Fall dates are permissible anytime beginning September 1 Fall Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 Post-Winter Break: Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027 |
Volleyball (women’s) | 17 days prior to first allowable competition date, not to precede August 1 Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 | 13 weeks prior to the sport’s conference qualification deadline; if on a Saturday, the immediately preceding Friday is included Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 |
Wrestling (men’s & women’s) | 38 days prior to first allowable competition date. Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 | 4th Thursday in October Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 |
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.
