2026 NCSA Summer Championships — What You Need to Know

[adam]

The 2026 NCSA Summer Championships will be held July 22–26, 2026 at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This meet is open to qualified USA Swimming athletes age 18 and under and is expected to fill quickly.

---

What swimmers may care about

• The meet is conducted in LCM (Long Course Meters).

• All events are seeded LCM first, then SCY.

• Qualifying period: January 1, 2025 through July 13, 2026.

• Swimmers may compete in 3 individual events per day and 8 total.

• There are no upper time limits.

• All entry times must be provable in SWIMS.

• Unproven times may result in:

  • $100 fine per swim
  • Scratch from event
  • Team losing tier status

• Observed high school times only are accepted.

• Foreign meet times not in SWIMS are not accepted.

• Block party times are not accepted.

• Distance events (800/1500):

  • May qualify using 800 / 1500 / 1000 / 1650
  • Alternate standards are seeded last

• No time trials will be offered.

---

Bonus events

Swimmers qualified for individual events may enter bonus events based on the following:

Qualifying Times	Bonus Events
Relay Only	2
1	3
2	2
3	1
4+	0

Bonus rules

• Bonus swims must be:

  • 200m or less
  • Provable in SWIMS
  • Entered in LCM

• Exception:

  • 400 Free and 400 IM may be entered using SCY if the bonus standard is met

• 800 and 1500 are NOT eligible for bonus swims

Bonus standards (400 Free / 400 IM)

SCY	LCM	Event	SCY	LCM
5:02.09	4:30.99	400/500 Free	4:41.59	4:14.79
4:32.09	5:09.99	400 IM	4:09.59	4:47.09

---

What coaches may care about

• Entries must be submitted through USA Swimming OME

• Entry deadline: July 13, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)

• Late entries allowed only for:

  • First-time qualifiers
  • Achieved after deadline

• Late entry deadline: July 19, 2026

• Seeding order:

  • LCM → SCY

• All times must be:

  • Provable in SWIMS

• Relay rules:

  • Max 2 relays per event
  • Relay times must be provable (team or aggregate)

• Positive check-in required for:

  • 800 / 1500 freestyle

• Scratch rules:

  • No-show penalty:

    • Scratch from remaining events OR
    • $100 fine

• Finals format:

  • E, D, C, B, A finals
  • E final limited to 16 & under swimmers

---

What parents may care about

• Venue: IU Natatorium (approx. 4,700 seating capacity)

• Parking available in attached garage (fees controlled by facility)

• Concessions available onsite

• Awards:

  • Top 8 individual and relay medals

• Strict safety rules:

  • No deck changing
  • No recording in locker rooms
  • No drones allowed

• All athletes must follow:

  • USA Swimming Safe Sport policies
  • MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy)

---

Event format highlights

• Prelims and finals format for most events

• Distance events (800 / 1500):

  • Timed finals
  • Swum slowest → fastest
  • Fastest heat swims in finals

• Swimmers must provide:

  • Their own timers and counters for distance events

• Relays:

  • Timed finals
  • Swum during finals session

---

Schedule overview

• Dates: July 22–26, 2026
• Prelims: 8:30 AM start
• Finals: 5:00 PM start

---

Quick checklist

For swimmers

• Verify times are in SWIMS
• Track bonus eligibility
• Watch positive check-in deadlines
• Be ready for distance event requirements

For coaches

• Submit entries via OME before July 13

• Verify all times are provable

• Track:

  • Bonus entries
  • Relay entries
  • Event limits

• Prepare for scratch deadlines and penalties

For parents

• Book travel early (meet fills fast)
• Review venue parking and policies
• Plan for full-day sessions

---

Full meet packet

2026 NCSA Summer Championships Meet Announcement