June 17, 2026 – The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Oversight Committee has approved a series of CSCAA-recommended enhancements for the 2027 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships while also authorizing the creation of a stakeholder group to develop a long-term vision for collegiate swimming and diving.
The recommendation was developed by the CSCAA and a dedicated Championship Working Group of Division I head coaches. The group included Arthur Albiero (Louisville), Herbie Behm (Arizona State), Bob Bowman (Texas), Matt Crispino (Princeton), Todd DeSorbo (Virginia), Dave Durden (California), Braden Holloway (NC State), Matt Kredich (Tennessee), Ray Looze (Indiana), and Rachel Stratton-Mills (Northwestern).
Greg Meehan of USA Swimming provided insight from the National Governing Body perspective. The CSCAA Diving Subcommittee also provided input to ensure the proposed championship format appropriately addressed the needs of the diving community.
Following the 2026 NCAA Championships, the working group spent three months evaluating the championship and gathering feedback from stakeholders across the sport. The resulting recommendations were designed to address immediate championship needs while establishing a framework for long-term growth and innovation.
“This group addressed the immediate needs of the championship while keeping long-term growth and vision as the overarching goal,” said CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany. “They wanted a championship that was prepared for broadcast opportunities while also addressing aspects of the 2026 format that did not work for participants, coaches, and fans.”
“These changes are an important step forward for our sport,” said CSCAA President and Northwestern Director of Swimming and Diving Rachel Stratton-Mills. “They improve the championship experience for student-athletes today while creating an opportunity to build an even stronger future for collegiate swimming and diving.”
Among the most significant changes is the return of consolation finals. In swimming, consolation finals will be contested immediately before the A-final session. In diving, consolation finals will take place immediately following the preliminary rounds.
The committee also approved an updated order of events designed to improve the student-athlete experience while supporting championship presentation and broadcast opportunities.
Day 1: 1,650 Freestyle, 200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay
Day 2: 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, 1-Meter Diving, 400 Freestyle Relay
Day 3: 500 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, 50 Freestyle, 3-Meter Diving, 400 Medley Relay
Day 4: 100 Butterfly, 400 Individual Medley, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, Platform Diving, 200 Freestyle Relay
Additional championship format changes include conducting all relay heats during the evening sessions and incorporating awards ceremonies immediately following each A-final event during commercial breaks.
Qualification standards for individual events will be adjusted to target fewer than 10 percent of invited student-athletes entering through the conference qualifier pathway. The men’s standard will be set at the 64th-best time on the 2025-26 performance list, while the women’s standard will be set at the 88th-best time. Student-athletes who access the meet through the conference qualifier pathway will be selected only in their highest-ranked event.
The committee tabled a recommendation that would allow institutions to provide discretionary support for student-athletes who are moved below the invite line because of the conference qualifier pathway. The committee will revisit the issue after one additional year of data is collected.
“The championship has to work for today’s landscape while also preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Indiana Head Coach Ray Looze. “I believe this group found that balance. We made meaningful improvements for 2027, but we also created a pathway to think bigger about how we present our sport, celebrate our athletes, and grow the championship experience.”
Beyond the 2027 changes, the newly authorized stakeholder group will begin developing a long-term vision for the championship. The group will explore opportunities to enhance the student-athlete experience, strengthen the championship’s marketability, expand fan engagement, and position collegiate swimming and diving for continued growth.
The CSCAA will continue working with NCAA leadership, our national governing bodies, coaches, administrators, broadcasters, and other stakeholders to support the 2027 championship changes while helping shape the future of collegiate swimming and diving.
About the CSCAA
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is the nation’s first professional coaching association and serves as the leading advocate for collegiate swimming and diving. The CSCAA provides education, recognition, and advocacy programs that support coaches and student-athletes at all levels of collegiate competition.
