Top Gymnasts Compete for NCAA Titles in Fort Worth

Jordan Chiles and Kailin Chio among the favorites to win individual national championships

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting gymnasts in mid-air, their bodies and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of the intense competition and dynamic movements of NCAA gymnastics championships.Fort Worth Today

The 2026 NCAA gymnastics season culminates this weekend as the eight remaining teams compete for a national championship in Fort Worth, Texas. On Thursday, the semifinals will determine which two teams advance to Saturday's final, where a winner will be crowned. In addition to the team competition, individual national titles are also at stake, with UCLA's Jordan Chiles and LSU's Kailin Chio among the top contenders for the all-around title.

Why it matters

The NCAA gymnastics championships represent the pinnacle of collegiate competition in the sport, with the best teams and individual gymnasts vying for national titles. The event draws significant attention and interest from fans, as well as scouts and recruiters for professional and Olympic programs.

The details

The semifinals on Thursday will feature two sessions, with LSU, Florida, Georgia and Stanford competing in the afternoon session at 4:30 p.m. ET, and Oklahoma, UCLA, Arkansas and Minnesota taking part in the evening session at 9 p.m. ET. The top two teams from each session will advance to Saturday's final. In addition to the team competition, individual national titles will be awarded in each event, including vault, uneven bars, beam, floor and the all-around.

  • The 2026 NCAA gymnastics championships take place this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The afternoon session begins at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the evening session starts at 9 p.m. ET.
  • The final round is set 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 favorite to win the NCAA all-around title.

Kailin Chio

The LSU gymnast is also among the top contenders for the NCAA all-around championship, having had a dominant season.

LSU

The LSU gymnastics team is one of the eight remaining squads competing for the national championship.

UCLA

UCLA's gymnastics program is also represented in the NCAA championships, with Jordan Chiles leading the way for the Bruins.

Fort Worth, Texas

The city of Fort Worth, Texas is hosting the 2026 NCAA gymnastics championships.

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What they’re saying

“This is the moment these gymnasts have been working towards all season. The competition is going to be fierce, but it's going to be an incredible display of talent and athleticism.”

— Nastia Liukin, Former Olympic gold medalist and gymnastics analyst

“I'm so excited to compete for a national title. This is what we train for all year, and I'm ready to leave it all out on the floor.”

— Jordan Chiles

What’s next

The top two teams from each semifinal session on Thursday 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 an exciting and highly competitive event, with individual stars like Jordan Chiles and Kailin Chio vying for national titles alongside their teams. The event showcases the incredible talent and dedication of the top collegiate gymnasts in the country.