NCAA Gymnastics Championships Underway: Top Gymnasts Vie for Titles

Jordan Chiles and Kailin Chio lead the field in the quest for individual all-around glory

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, colorful painting depicting the fluid, explosive movements of gymnasts performing on various apparatuses, with their bodies and equipment blending into a vibrant, abstract composition.The NCAA gymnastics championships showcase the unbridled passion and athleticism of the sport's top collegiate competitors.Fort Worth Today

The 2026 NCAA gymnastics season culminates this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, as the top eight teams compete for the national championship. In addition to the team competition, individual titles are also up for grabs, with UCLA's Jordan Chiles and LSU's Kailin Chio among the favorites to win the coveted all-around crown.

Why it matters

The NCAA gymnastics championships represent the pinnacle of collegiate competition in the sport, showcasing the talent and dedication of the country's top gymnasts. The event attracts significant attention and interest, both from fans and scouts looking to identify the next generation of elite gymnasts.

The details

The semifinals will take place on Thursday, with the afternoon session featuring LSU, Florida, Georgia and Stanford, while the evening session will see Oklahoma, UCLA, Arkansas and Minnesota compete. The two teams with the highest scores in each session will advance to Saturday's final, where a national champion will be crowned. In the individual events, the top gymnast on each apparatus - vault, uneven bars, beam, floor and the all-around - will be named a national champion.

  • The semifinals take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The afternoon session begins at 4:30 p.m. ET.
  • The evening session begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.
  • The final round is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Jordan Chiles

A standout gymnast for UCLA, Chiles is one of the top-ranked gymnasts in the country and a leading contender for the NCAA all-around title.

Kailin Chio

The star gymnast for LSU, Chio is ranked second nationally and will challenge Chiles for the individual all-around championship.

LSU

One of the powerhouses in collegiate gymnastics, LSU will be looking to claim the team national championship.

UCLA

Another gymnastics powerhouse, UCLA will be led by standout gymnast Jordan Chiles in the quest for the team and individual titles.

Fort Worth, Texas

The host city for the 2026 NCAA gymnastics championships, located in the heart of Texas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is the moment we've all been waiting for. The top gymnasts in the country will be showcasing their skills on the biggest stage, and it's going to be an incredible display of athleticism and artistry.”

— Nastia Liukin, Former Olympic gold medalist and gymnastics analyst

“The competition is going to be fierce, but I'm confident in my team and our ability to rise to the occasion. We're going to leave it all out there on the floor.”

— Jordan Chiles, UCLA gymnast

What’s next

The top two teams from each semifinal session will advance to the final round on Saturday, April 18, where the 2026 NCAA gymnastics champion will be crowned.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA gymnastics championships promise to be a thrilling showcase of the sport's top talent, with individual and team titles up for grabs. The competition will feature a clash of gymnastics powerhouses, led by standout gymnasts like Jordan Chiles and Kailin Chio, as they vie for the ultimate prize in collegiate gymnastics.