The 2026 college soccer season is unique, with the 2026 World Cup hosted in the US. This will also be the last year that the women’s and men’s soccer schedules align, with men’s soccer changing to a longer fall-to-spring format that aligns with the new MLS calendar.
Given all the upcoming changes and the World Cup momentum, this 2026 season bodes well for lots of excitement. Here are some key dates to track and opening week matchups to watch as the new college soccer campaign approaches:
College Soccer High School Recruiting for Class of 2028: Begins Jun 15 – This is when colleges can start reaching out to High School Juniors and begin formally recruiting the class of 2028.
1st Game Dates of the 2026 Season
- Women’s Soccer: Aug 12
- Men’s Soccer: Aug 20
Opening Week Games to Watch
Women’s Soccer
Many of the top women’s teams from last year have not released their 2026 schedules. This is a preliminary list of key games based on schedules that have been released so far:
- Xavier at Michigan State – Aug 12
- Baylor at Arkansas – Aug 12
- TCU at Wisconsin – Aug 13
- Dayton at West Virginia – Aug 13
- Duke at UCLA – Aug 16
- Ohio State at Clemson – Aug 16
- Army at Colorado – Aug 16
Men’s Soccer
Many of last year’s top men’s teams have not released their 2026 schedules. This is a preliminary list of key games based on schedules that have been released so far:
- Notre Dame at Indiana – Aug 20
- Furman at Clemson – Aug 20
- Maryland at Pittsburgh – Aug 20
- San Diego at Washington – Aug 20
- Syracuse at Connecticut – Aug 20
- California at Portland – Aug 21
- Denver at Stanford – Aug 23
Championship Sundays and Selection Mondays
Women’s Championship Sunday: Nov 15
Women’s Selection Monday: Nov 16
Men’s Championship Sunday: Nov 15
Men’s Selection Monday: Nov 16
Transfer Portals
Fall transfer portals are open for 30 days and have typically opened a week after Selection Monday.
Women’s Transfer Portal: Nov 23
Men’s Transfer Portal opens: Nov 23
Spring Transfer Portal: May 1-15
College Cup
NCAA Women’s College Cup: December 10 & 13 @ Cary, NC
NCAA Men’s College Cup: December 11 & 14 @ Cary, NC
