US College Sports Seasons Explained
Fall, Winter, Spring: Which Season Is Your College Sport In?
If you’re new to US college sports, one of the first things to know is that there are three main college sports seasons: fall, winter, and spring. Each sport has a set time when official matches and championships take place.
In Europe, for example, the football season lasts around 7 to 8 months, with training and matches spread throughout that time. In contrast, college football (soccer) in the US is a fall sport, so the official championship runs from late summer to late autumn.
Even though athletes compete during their main season, training never really stops. They prepare in pre-season, compete during the season, and then stay fit with off-season workouts. So, even though college football is officially in the fall, teams keep training and play friendly matches during the spring months too.
The exact start and end dates can vary depending on the sport, the league (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA), and even the region of the country.
Now, let’s break down which sports belong to each season.
Fall Sports (August – December)
Pre-season starts in early August, often before classes begin. Matches kick off soon after the term starts, and championships usually happen in November or early December.
Fall sports include:
- Cross Country – Men & Women
- Field Hockey – Women
- American Football – Men
- Football (Soccer) – Men & Women
- Volleyball – Women
- Water Polo – Men
Note: Golf and tennis may have tournaments in the fall, but their main championship season is in the spring.
Winter Sports (November – March)
Pre-season for winter sports begins in October or early November. The regular season starts in November or December and continues through the winter months, with teams competing multiple times a week. Championships often happen in March, such as the famous “March Madness” for basketball.
Winter sports include:
- Basketball – Men & Women
- Bowling – Men & Women
- Fencing – Men & Women
- Gymnastics – Men & Women
- Ice Hockey – Men & Women
- Indoor Track & Field – Men & Women
- Rifle – Men & Women
- Skiing – Men & Women
- Swimming & Diving – Men & Women
- Wrestling – Men
Spring Sports (January – May)
Pre-season starts in January, right after the winter break. The official competition begins in February, with championships happening in May or early June, just before the summer break.
Spring sports include:
- Baseball – Men
- Beach Volleyball – Women
- Golf – Men & Women
- Gymnastics – Men & Women
- Lacrosse – Men & Women
- Outdoor Track & Field – Men & Women
- Rowing – Men & Women
- Softball – Women
- Tennis – Men & Women
- Volleyball – Men
- Water Polo – Women
Sports with Unique Schedules
Some college sports don’t follow the typical season pattern:
- Equestrian competes in both fall and spring, with year-round training.
- Esports often runs in both terms, with many online tournaments throughout the year.
- Rugby varies by region — some men’s teams play in the fall, others in the spring, while women’s rugby is mostly spring.
- Cheerleading supports other teams during their seasons and competes nationally, but doesn’t have one fixed season.
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About the author
Lorena Montañés
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