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As the weather warms up, it's time to play some beach volleyball. The 2026 NCAA championships return to Gulf Shores this week.
Started in 2016, the NCAA championships serve as a competitive end to the collegiate season for 16 programs every year. Southern California schools have typically reigned supreme in this tournament, with USC holding six titles, and UCLA snagging two in 2018-19.
Last year, TCU bucked the trend by defeating LMU 3-2 in the championship match and bringing the trophy to Texas. The Horned Frogs entered the bracket as a No. 2 seed, and fought past Loyola Marymount, which had beaten both UCLA and USC in the earlier rounds.
This year, Stanford holds the No. 1 spot, followed by Texas and UCLA. Who will win it all?
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA beach volleyball championships, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual tournament.
NCAA beach volleyball championships 2026 bracket, schedule
For just the fourth year, the NCAA beach volleyball tournament will be single-elimination, rather than using an elimination bracket. So once a team loses a match, they're out.
After expanding to a 17-team playoff in 2024, the NCAA has reverted to its original 16-team format, without a play-in dual.
Friday, May 1: First round
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
| No. 4 USC vs. No. 13 Texas A&M Corpus-Christi | 10 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 12 Stetson | 11 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 16 Chattanooga | Noon | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 8 California vs. No. 9 Long Beach State | 1 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Georgia State | 2 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 7 LMU vs. No. 10 TCU | 3 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 14 Tulane | 4 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| No. 6 Cal Poly vs. No. 11 Grand Canyon | 5 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
Saturday, May 2: Quarterfinals
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
| TBD vs. TBD | 10 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 11 a.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 1 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
Saturday, May 2: Semifinals
| Results | Time (ET) | Watch |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo |
Sunday, May 3: National Championship
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| TBD vs. TBD | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, fubo |
NCAA beach volleyball championships TV channel, live streams
- Date: Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3
- Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama
- TV channel: ESPN, ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN app, fubo
Each round will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks. The first three rounds will be played on ESPN2, and the championship on ESPN. Every pair playing in each dual will be streamed on the ESPN app.
Cord-cutters can also find full coverage on fubo.
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List of past NCAA beach volleyball champions
California is queen of the beach. While many schools and conferences from around the country have made it to the tournament, only three have ever won.
USC and UCLA, based across town in Los Angeles, have taken the title the most times. TCU claimed its first championship in 2025.
| Year | School |
| 2025 | TCU |
| 2024 | USC |
| 2023 | USC |
| 2022 | USC |
| 2021 | USC |
| 2020* | – |
| 2019 | UCLA |
| 2018 | UCLA |
| 2017 | USC |
| 2016 | USC |
*Canceled due to COVID-19
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