Irvine, CA – March 23, 2026 – ESPN, in collaboration with USA Water Polo and the NCAA, is excited to once again 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 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
 
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, CWPA, GCC, MAAC, MPSF and WWPA plus three additional teams to be selected as at-large participants. The Stanford Cardinal won the title in 2025, defeating USC in Indianapolis, IN.

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 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. For more information on the NCAA Championship, visit https://www.ncaa.com/sports/waterpolo-women and be sure to follow USA Water Polo on social media (@USAWP) for updates on the match-up and broadcast coverage closer to the event.

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 40,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org.