The 2026 NCAA field hockey tournament is here, and the team to beat is no surprise.
Two-time defending national champion Northwestern is the top seed after winning the Big Ten title, but a three-peat for the Wildcats is far from a sure thing after a pair of regular-season losses.
Either Northwestern or North Carolina has won the NCAA title each of the last eight years, but they’re lined up to face each other in the quarterfinals, opening the door for a changing of the guard.
No. 2 seed Maryland would seem the best bet to break through as the Terps seek their first title since going back-to-back in 2010 and 2011, but last year’s runner-up Princeton and other contenders will also be in the mix.
Here’s all you need to know about when and where to watch each match on the road to crowning a national champion in Louisville.
Where to watch NCAA field hockey tournament
The first three rounds of the 2026 NCAA field hockey tournament will stream live on ESPN+, which is available via the ESPN app.
The semifinals and championship will air nationally on ESPNU and can be streamed with the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. See the full schedule below.
NCAA field hockey tournament schedule, scores 2026
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Opening round
| Match | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield vs. Wagner | 2 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Saint Joseph’s vs. Vermont | 3 p.m. | ESPN app |
Friday, Nov. 13: First round
| Match | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| No. 2 Maryland vs. Fairfield/Wagner | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 3 Harvard vs. Old Dominion | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 4 UConn vs. Lafayette | 12 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 1 Northwestern vs. St. Joseph’s/Vermont | 1 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 5 Princeton vs. Syracuse | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 6 Yale vs. UMass | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 7 Iowa vs. Duke | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN app |
| No. 8 North Carolina vs. Miami (OH) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN app |
Sunday, Nov. 15: Quarterfinals
| Match | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Northwestern/TBD vs. No. 8 UNC/Miami (OH) | TBD | ESPN app |
| No. 2 Maryland/TBD vs. No. 7 Iowa/Duke | TBD | ESPN app |
| No. 3 Harvard/ODU vs. No. 6 Yale/UMass | TBD | ESPN app |
| No. 4 UConn/Lafayette vs. No. 5 Princeton/Syracuse | TBD | ESPN app |
Friday, Nov. 20: Semifinals
At Louisville, Kentucky
| Match | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 12 or 2:30 p.m. | ESPNU, Fubo, ESPN app |
| TBD vs. TBD | 12 or 2:30 p.m. | ESPNU, Fubo, ESPN app |
Sunday, Nov. 22: Championship
At Louisville, Kentucky
| Match | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal winners | 1 p.m. | ESPNU, Fubo, ESPN app |
NCAA field hockey tournament round-by-round schedule 2026
| Round | Dates |
| Opening round | Nov. 11 |
| First round | Nov. 13 |
| Quarterfinals | Nov. 15 |
| Semifinals | Nov. 20 |
| Championship | Nov. 22 |
NCAA field hockey champions list
Here are the most recent NCAA field hockey champions and runners-up:
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Northwestern | Princeton |
| 2024 | Northwestern | Saint Joseph’s |
| 2023 | North Carolina | Northwestern |
| 2022 | North Carolina | Northwestern |
| 2021 | Northwestern | Liberty |
| 2020 | North Carolina | Michigan |
| 2019 | North Carolina | Princeton |
| 2018 | North Carolina | Maryland |
| 2017 | UConn | Maryland |
| 2016 | Delaware | North Carolina |
