The popularity of college sports in America is not limited to NCAA varsity programs. Ultimate has proven that club sports can establish a rich tradition and elicit the same excitement and emotion from players, fans and alumni alike.

With more than 18,000 student-athletes competing on 800-plus teams, the college division is USA Ultimate’s largest.

The regular season lasts from early January through mid-April and results in a set of national rankings that determine the number of bids each of the 10 geographical regions receive to the College Championships. The ensuing postseason championship series features a set of conference and regional qualifying tournaments, providing an opportunity for those 800 teams to punch a ticket to nationals.

When all is said and done, 40 teams (20 each in the men’s and women’s divisions) earn an invitation to the Division I College Championships held every Memorial Day weekend. For smaller schools (up to 10,000 enrollment), the Division III College Championships host 32 teams. At the end of the college season, four national champions are crowned – a men’s and women’s team in both Division I and Division III.