NEW YORK, N.Y. — ESPN, in collaboration with USA Water Polo and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), will present live coverage of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship final in 2026. The ultimate prize in college water polo will be decided at University of California-San Diego’s Canyonview Aquatic Center live on ESPNU and the ESPN App on Sunday, April 26 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific.
Outside of the United States, water polo fans will be able to watch the telecast on ESPN networks and ESPN on Disney+ in Latin America including Mexico, Central America, Brazil & Spanish speaking South America plus the Caribbean, Australia/New Zealand, Netherlands, and Africa, and via the TSN+ direct-to-consumer streaming service in Canada.
The field for the 2026 NCAA Tournament will be announced on April 13 and features nine teams from around the country. Six conference champions from the Big West, Collegiate Water Polo Association (NCAA), Golden Coast Conference (GCC), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) and Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) plus three additional teams to be selected as at-large participants. Stanford University won the title in 2025 by defeating the University of Southern California (USC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Calling the final will be two-time Olympic gold medalist and NCAA Champion Kaleigh Gilchrist (analyst) joined by Greg Mescall (play-by-play) poolside from UC-San Diego.
“We’re thrilled to once again team up with ESPN and the NCAA to present live coverage of the women’s championship match this April from UC San Diego. We know how important the college game is to the health of water polo nationwide and are excited to provide an elevated platform for the championship. If the results of the 2026 season thus far are any indication, we are in for a fantastic final. I encourage everyone to watch!” said Jamie Davis, USA Water Polo Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“Having our championship broadcast on ESPN through the partnership with USA Water Polo is great exposure for our sport. Giving people who usually only have an opportunity to watch the sport during the Olympics another chance on broadcast TV is amazing. The NCAA championship brings together players from all around the country and the world, to compete at the highest level, and the championship committee is so happy that our fans will be able to see the game on ESPN,” said Ted Minnis, Friends of Harvard Water Polo Head Coach and Women’s Water Polo Committee chair.
In April 2022, USA Water Polo, ESPN and the NCAA reached a new agreement that brought the NCAA Water Polo Championships back to national television for the first time in more than a decade. As part of a new wide-ranging agreement between the NCAA and ESPN, the men’s and women’s water polo championship will continue to be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks through 2029.
Quarterfinal and semifinal action will stream at NCAA.com.
Tickets for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship are now on-sale and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.
