Where to watch NCAA women's swimming, diving championships: Schedule, time, channel, live stream for 2026 event

Many of the nation's best collegiate athletes are headed to Atlanta this week for the 2026 NCAA women's swimming and diving championships.

More than 300 swimmers and divers have qualified for this event by winning their conference championship or by meeting the established minimum time for the events in which they entered. Twenty-one events will take place throughout the course of these four days — 18 swimming and three diving.

While medals will be on the line in all of those individual events, a team champion also will be crowned, and there's an odds-on favorite for that honor. Virginia has won five consecutive NCAA titles and a sixth in a row would break a tie with Stanford (1992-96) and Texas (1984-88) and give the Cavs the all-time record streak. 

This year's competition is being hosted by Georgia Tech at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. The McAuley Center is a historic venue, as it was originally built for the 1996 Olympics and will be welcoming this competition for the third time. 

Who will shine the brightest in Atlanta?

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA women's swimming and diving championships, including TV channel and streaming options for the collegiate competition. 

Where to watch NCAA women's swimming, diving championships

• TV Channel: N/A
• Live Stream: ESPN+

The 2026 NCAA women's swimming and diving championships will not be broadcast live nationally. Instead, fans can tune in on ESPN+ to watch all the action. 

Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.

NCAA women's swimming and diving championship start time

• Date: Wednesday, March 18 - Saturday, March 21
• Time: 10 a.m. ET (prelims); 6 p.m. ET (finals)

The 2026 NCAA women's swimming and diving championship will take place from Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

Most days will feature prelims beginning at 10 a.m. ET and finals beginning at 6 p.m. ET. See the full event schedule below. 

NCAA women's swimming and diving championship event schedule

Here's a look at the event schedule for the four-day competition.

Wednesday, March 18

Thursday, March 19

Friday, March 20

Saturday, March 21