As we stand on the brink of a new year, the world of college swimming is gearing up for an exciting transition from 2025 to 2026. But here’s where it gets intriguing: while the holiday season might suggest a slowdown, the pools are far from quiet. This week may not be packed with dual meets, but it’s a strategic pause before the storm of competitions ahead. Let’s dive into what’s on the horizon.
For those eager to track the top performers, SwimSwam’s Post Invite Power Rankings are a must-read. And this is the part most people miss: these rankings aren’t just numbers—they’re the result of meticulous research by the SwimSwam team, scouring websites and cross-checking data to ensure accuracy. Even so, meets can be added or removed, and conflicting schedules between schools occasionally muddy the waters. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming meets for both men and women:
| Meet Date | Men | Women |
|----------------------|---------|-----------|
| FIU Sprint Invite 1/3| Yes | |
| San Diego Invitational 12/30-1/5 | Yes | Yes |
| BYU v. Hawaii v. SMU 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| TCU v. Trinity 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee Diving Invite (LSU, Alabama) 1/2-1/4 | Yes | Yes |
| FAU Diving Invite 1/3-4 | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota v. Tampa v. Notre Dame 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina vs Queens (Swim only) 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona State vs Grand Canyon 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia Tech vs Queens 1/2 | Yes | Yes |
| Miami FL vs Notre Dame 1/3 | Yes | |
| San Diego vs Wisconsin vs UCLA vs UCSD 1/3 | Yes | Yes |
| Towson vs Navy 1/3 | Yes | |
| SMU vs Oklahoma Christian 1/2-3 | Yes | |
| FGCU vs Delaware 12/31 | Yes | |
| St Thomas (MN) v South Dakota 1/2-3 | Yes | Yes |
| Denver v Colorado School of Mines 1/2 | Yes | Yes |
| San Diego State vs Vanderbilt vs San Diego 1/2 | Yes | |
Controversial question: With so many meets happening in such a short window, are we risking athlete burnout, or is this the perfect way to kickstart the new year? Let us know in the comments!
Lastly, a shoutout to Anya Pelshaw, the SwimSwam writer and social media coordinator who’s been bringing you the latest since June 2021. From the Women’s NCAA Championships to the European Championships, Anya’s been on the front lines, ensuring you don’t miss a stroke. But here’s a thought: as swimming evolves, how will digital coverage like Anya’s shape the future of the sport? Share your thoughts below!
Happy New Year, and here’s to a splashy start to 2026!
