NCAA 2026 Lacrosse Season Preview

A look ahead at the upcoming college lacrosse campaigns for men's and women's teams

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:55am

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The 2026 college lacrosse season is set to kick off earlier than ever, with over 20 NCAA Division I men's games scheduled for this weekend. After heavy graduation losses from Cornell's 2025 NCAA championship team, the field appears wide open. Powerhouses like Maryland, Syracuse, and Princeton will look to make their mark, while North Carolina's women's squad aims to defend their perfect 2025 season. USA Lacrosse Magazine breaks down the key storylines and top teams to watch as the new season gets underway.

Why it matters

College lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., with high participation rates at the youth and high school levels. The start of a new season generates significant interest and excitement among fans, as top programs vie for national championships and individual players vie for recognition and potential professional opportunities.

The details

The 2026 college lacrosse season will feature an earlier start than ever before, with over 20 NCAA Division I men's games scheduled for this weekend. On the men's side, the field appears wide open after heavy graduation losses from Cornell's 2025 NCAA championship team. Perennial powers like Maryland, Syracuse, and Princeton will look to assert their dominance, while upstart programs aim to make their mark. In women's lacrosse, North Carolina will look to defend their perfect 22-0 season from 2025, led by star player Chloe Humphrey. Rival Northwestern will try to unseat the Tar Heels, while Boston College's generational goalie Shea Dolce hopes to put her team back on top.

  • The 2026 college lacrosse season kicks off this weekend, earlier than ever before.
  • North Carolina's women's team went 22-0 in the 2025 season.

The players

Chloe Humphrey

A star player for the North Carolina women's lacrosse team, which went undefeated in 2025.

Shea Dolce

The generational goalie for the Boston College women's lacrosse team, looking to put her squad back on top in 2026.

Gary Gait

The legendary head coach of the Syracuse men's lacrosse team, aiming to recapture the program's glory in 2026.

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The takeaway

The 2026 college lacrosse season promises to be an exciting one, with a wide-open field on the men's side and dominant programs like North Carolina looking to defend their titles on the women's side. Fans can look forward to an earlier start to the action and the chance to see some of the sport's top talent compete for national championships.