UMBC Swimming and Diving Announces 2026-27 Schedule with Strong Home Slate and Championship Aspirations

by Brian Hradsky · July 16, 2026

UMBC Swimming and Diving Announces 2026-27 Schedule with Strong Home Slate and Championship Aspirations

The UMBC men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs have officially announced their 2026-27 schedule, setting the stage for another season of competition inside the UMBC Aquatic Complex. The Retrievers will face a challenging mix of conference rivals, regional opponents, and nationally respected programs as they prepare for the America East Championships.

Head coach Chad Cradock’s program continues to build on a tradition of success that has made UMBC one of the premier swimming and diving schools in the America East Conference. The Retrievers have consistently produced conference champions, NCAA Championship qualifiers, and academic standouts while remaining one of Maryland’s top collegiate programs.

The upcoming season provides several opportunities for UMBC fans to watch the Retrievers compete at home while also testing themselves against strong competition throughout the Northeast. Every dual meet will play an important role in preparing the team for the postseason, where conference titles and NCAA qualifying performances will once again be the goal.

The UMBC Aquatic Complex has long been considered one of the premier collegiate swimming venues in the region, giving the Retrievers one of the strongest home-pool advantages in the America East Conference. Throughout the season, UMBC will look to use that advantage while developing its talented roster of returning veterans and promising newcomers.

Several returning conference finalists are expected to lead the Retrievers this season, while the coaching staff also welcomes another talented recruiting class that will add depth across sprint, distance, butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, diving, and relay events. The combination of experienced upperclassmen and talented freshmen gives UMBC optimism heading into another competitive campaign.

The schedule is designed to prepare the Retrievers for their most important meet of the season, the America East Swimming and Diving Championships, where UMBC has historically been among the conference’s strongest programs. Strong early-season performances will also help swimmers qualify for postseason opportunities beyond the conference championships.

2026-27 UMBC Swimming and Diving Schedule

October 3 – Blue vs. Gold Intrasquad Meet
October 17 – at Delaware
October 24 – Navy
November 7 – George Mason
November 13-15 – Thomas Murphy Invitational (Loyola Maryland)
December 5 – Towson
January 9 – Drexel
January 16 – at Johns Hopkins
January 23 – at William & Mary
February 4-7 – America East Swimming and Diving Championships
March 11-14 – NCAA Zone Diving Championships
March 18-21 – NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships
March 25-28 – NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships

The Retrievers will once again rely on a demanding schedule to prepare for championship competition. Facing programs such as Navy, Towson, Delaware, Johns Hopkins, William & Mary, and George Mason provides valuable experience against quality opponents before postseason competition begins.

With another talented roster, experienced coaching staff, and one of the conference’s premier facilities, UMBC enters the 2026-27 season with expectations of competing near the top of the America East standings once again.

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