Guide to the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships represent the pinnacle of collegiate athletics, bringing together the nation’s elite student-athletes to compete for national titles. The event will serve as the 104th Men’s and 44th Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Event Schedule and Venue
The championships are scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 10, through Saturday, June 13, 2026. A total of 42 events will be contested, split evenly between 21 men’s and 21 women’s competitions.
The competition follows a specific gender-based schedule to maximize focus and performance:
- Men’s Events: Held on Wednesday and Friday.
- Women’s Events: Held on Thursday and Saturday.
- Combined Events: The men’s decathlon begins the meet on Wednesday and extends into Thursday, while the women’s heptathlon begins Friday and concludes Saturday.
The championships will officially kick off with the men’s decathlon and conclude with the high-stakes women’s 4 × 400-meter relay.
The Qualification and Selection Process
Securing a spot at the national championships requires rigorous qualifying performances and a structured selection process managed by the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee. According to NCAA guidelines, the path to the finals involves several critical windows:
First Round Qualifications
The qualifying window for most meets opens on March 1. For athletes to be considered for the first round, they must meet performance standards within these deadlines:
- Non-Conference Meets: The qualifying window closes Sunday, May 17.
- Conference Championships: The qualifying window closes Monday, May 18.
The NCAA announces athletes accepted into the first rounds on Thursday, May 21. For individual events, the top 48 declared student-athletes are accepted, while the top 24 declared relay teams qualify.
Advancing to the Final Site
The first round serves as a filter for the final championship meet. The top 12 competitors from each individual event and the top 12 teams from each relay event advance. The list of these qualifiers is released by 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31. The final official list of participants for the championship competition is announced by 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2.
Combined Events Selection
Unlike standard track and field events, combined event athletes (heptathlon and decathlon) do not participate in the first round. Instead, the top 24 declared student-athletes in each event are accepted directly into the championship meet based on their national rankings. These selections are announced on Thursday, May 21.
Viewing and Broadcast Information
Fans can follow the action through comprehensive coverage provided by ESPN. The championships will be broadcast across ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN+, ensuring global access to the event’s most dramatic finishes.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Championships
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 10–13, 2026 |
| Location | Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon |
| Total Events | 42 (21 Men’s / 21 Women’s) |
| First Round Cut | Top 48 Individuals / Top 24 Relays |
| Finals Cut | Top 12 from First Round |
| Combined Events | Top 24 declared athletes (No first round) |
As the qualifying window opens in March, athletes will begin the grueling process of chasing the marks necessary to compete in Eugene. With the final site selections occurring on June 2, the road to the 104th Men’s and 44th Women’s championships is set for a high-intensity spring season.
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