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 (<7,500 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.