Previews – NCDA

East Coast Region Preview 2026-27

The East Coast is wide open. After a season that saw Virginia break through on the national stage for the first time, coupled with James Madison finally surrendering its grip on the regional crown, the 2026-2027 campaign brings a new question: who’s ready to take over? Graduation has gutted the region’s most talented rosters, creating opportunities for rising stars to step into major roles and for familiar contenders to prove they can reload. Virginia, JMU, and Maryland all enter the season with something to prove, and with the East Coast title firmly up for grabs, every point will matter.

South Region Preview 2026-27

Over the last year, the South region has become a hub for league growth and a region that everybody should keep their eyes on. Many schools are primed to enter the region and begin competitive play; additionally, each of the existing programs are expected to take significant leaps in the 2027 campaign. Here’s a preview of what each program should set out to achieve in the upcoming season.

Central Region Preview 2026-2027

It’s time to dust off our jerseys as we approach the start of the 2026-27 NCDA season! The central region is excited to welcome back its many players and teams from a well deserved summer break as well as introduce those trying to break into the league. Lots of exciting things happened over the course of last season: First ever Central Region cup, two-time consolation bracket winners (UWP), Iowa’s first official season, and so much more! It will be exciting to see what happens next in the Central region, but for now, let’s take a look at who’s returning.

Michigan Region Preview 2026-27

The wait is finally over. College dodgeball is back, and the Michigan region is ready to get things rolling.

A new season means new teams, new faces, new rivalries, and another year of chaos on the court. The offseason is officially behind us, the balls are back in the gyms, and it’s time to find out who came ready to compete.

Ohio Region Preview 2026-27

The wait is over. College dodgeball is back, and the Ohio region is ready to get to work.

The 2026–27 season brings a familiar mix of contenders, rising programs and teams looking to make their move. Veterans will be asked to carry bigger roles, new talent will have its chance to emerge, and the preseason rankings will quickly give way to what actually happens on the court.

With Nationals sitting at the end of the road, every matchup matters. The Ohio region has plenty of teams capable of making noise… the question is which ones will actually deliver.

Nationals 2026 Preview

ATHENS, OH. — From undefeated runs and statistical dominance to rebuilding years and late-season surges, every team in this 20-squad field brings a unique storyline into Saturday play. With seeding, pride, and survival on the line, the opening slate promises high-stakes matchups that will shape the bracket—and possibly redefine the balance of power across the NCDA. At the top, blue bloods and reigning powers collide with hungry challengers and breakthrough programs, all converging in Athens with vastly different paths—but the same ultimate goal. Ohio State and Michigan State headline the field as dominant forces on a collision course, while upstarts like Kent State, Nebraska, and Virginia look to prove their regular season success translates when it matters most. Meanwhile, perennial contenders such as Grand Valley State and Miami aim to reassert their place at the summit and fend off one of the deepest and most dangerous fields in years.

2026 Women’s Nationals Preview

When the average person hears the word “dodgeball,” they often think back to elementary school or maybe even middle and high school when they were forced to play during gym class. While the gist is the same, the WNCDA takes it to a whole new level; it’s no longer just “throw the ball!” or “hit your classmate!” This sport requires teams as little as four and as large as nine to jive well while on the court, encourage each others strengths, and support each others weaknesses–which can be challenging amidst the intensity of the game. The teams may seem small, but the desire to win is huge. And regardless of the experience of the players or age of the team, this game is for anyone who loves competition and working hard as a team.

Blugold Invitational II Preview

UW-Eau Claire will be hosting their second tournament of the season on Saturday, March 28th, which will be the last central region event of the season. Those expected to attend are close rivals, UW-Platteville, with less than a week of rest from the last tournament they played in, and a large mixed team consisting of players from several schools–UW-Stout, UW-La Crosse, UW-Steven’s Point, UW-River Falls, and Winona State University. These teams are potential candidates for future growth in the central region, and these nearby tournaments allow them to get a feel for the league and hopefully feel encouraged to form their own teams. This tournament will bring the central region season to a close, so let’s see what these teams and players have left in them before nationals.

Central Region Cup Preview

The incredible growth of the central region reaches its peak as we head into the Central Dodgeball Cup tournament this Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at the University of Iowa. These teams last saw each other two weeks prior at the Zanderthon Throw-Down X where Nebraska (UNL) came out on top. This time, the stakes are higher as each team fights for their place as champions.

Zanderthon Throw-Down X Preview

Platteville will be hosting the 10th annual Zanderthon Throw-Down on February 21st. The teams in attendance will be the University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP), the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), the University of Iowa, Winona State University (WSU), University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC), the University of Wisconsin Stout (UWS), University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC), upcoming Wisconsin schools, and alumni. This weekend will mark one of the biggest events to date for this region and for a lot of players in attendance, this is going to be their first experience playing college dodgeball. Let’s take a look at the teams and the schedule below.

East Coast Dodgeball Cup Preview

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The East Coast Dodgeball Cup returns with more parity—and more pressure—than ever before. With Nationals 2026 looming, ECDC is more than just a regional title; it’s a measuring stick. For Maryland, it’s a chance to salvage a winless campaign and spark late-season momentum. For James Madison, it’s an opportunity to defend their crown and reaffirm their place among the NCDA’s elite. For Virginia, it’s a shot to close one of the tightest ranking gaps in the country and seize control of a rivalry that has defined the region over the past two seasons. These three programs enter the weekend with vastly different stakes but the same goal: hoist the East Coast Cup. In a region where overtime thrillers and one-point swings are the norm, every catch, cross, and team throw could decide who carries momentum into the postseason.

South Dodgeball Cup Preview

The South Dodgeball Cup is approaching with 4 teams in attendance (Bama, UNG, GSU, NKU). This year, Northern Kentucky seek to defend the title, North Georgia look for a rematch of last year’s title game, and Alabama and Georgia Southern look to shake up expectations.

Redhawk Classic IV Preview

6 teams will kick off their spring semester this weekend in Miami, OH. Three regions will be represented, and the current #2 and #3 teams in the country will clash. A lot will be learned this weekend in Oxford, so expect close matches and interesting results all throughout the day.

Beast XIII Preview

HARRISONBURG, V.A.—The thirteenth edition of Beast sets the stage for a compelling measuring stick between four teams with postseason ambitions. With Cincinnati and Ohio testing themselves out of region against surging East Coast contenders James Madison and Virginia, every matchup carries implications for rankings, confidence, and momentum heading toward the spring championship push. Style clashes, recent rivalries, and a charged home-court atmosphere promise a weekend that could reshape the national picture.

Women’s Spartan Smackdown Preview

On Saturday, January 31st, Michigan State University (MSU) will be hosting the Spartan Smackdown Women’s tournament! This tournament will see a few new faces like the University of Wisconsin-Platteville team, the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and the Northern Kentucky University team. It will also be showcasing the reigning women’s dodgeball champions, University of Ohio-Akron as well as big-shots and host, Michigan State University. This tournament will help solidify the positions of the women’s teams while also helping the rookies get a feel for the current league atmosphere leading up to nationals. Let’s hope our rookie teams can turn some heads while our veteran teams provide an invaluable example of what a team can become.