Olaf Growald
Come April 2026, Fort Worth will trade its cowboy boots for leotards — at least for a weekend — when the nation’s best collegiate gymnasts return to Dickies Arena for the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. The all-session tickets are officially on sale, giving fans a chance to witness some of the most electrifying athletes in college sports compete for national glory.
This will mark the eighth year the championship has taken place in Fort Worth and the sixth inside Dickies Arena. Fans can expect two nights of elite competition as the top eight NCAA women’s programs and individual qualifiers compete for the National Champion title. The semifinals will take place Thursday, April 16, with the top two teams from each session advancing to the final on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
“Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented momentum and collegiate gymnastics is at the forefront of that rise,” said Drew Hays, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “Fort Worth is proud to showcase the nation’s top female student-athletes at the 2026 NCAA Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Championships. With future and former Olympians competing, this is a rare opportunity for our community to witness world-class performances right here at home. Last year, teams competed in front of a sell-out crowd on Saturday and we hope to sell out Dickies Arena again this year.”
The National Championship trophy will travel to Fort Worth next year, giving locals a chance to see it up close. Last year’s tour included stops at the Fort Worth Zoo, the Museum of Science & History, City Hall, and the Cattle Drive.
Last year, the Oklahoma Sooners captured their seventh national championship. UCLA finished second, followed by Missouri — in its first national championship appearance — and Utah in fourth. More than 10,000 fans attended the Finals session inside Dickies Arena.
“The NCAA is excited to be back in Fort Worth for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships,” said John Baldwin, managing director, Championships and Alliances, NCAA. “Fort Worth and Dickies Arena serve as a great stage for the championships and we’re excited to be back.”
Teams will earn their trip to the championship after competing at regional meets hosted by LSU, Oregon State, Kentucky, or Arizona State. Texas Woman’s University will serve as the host institution for the event.
“We are honored to host the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships,” said Matt Homan, GM and President of Dickies Arena. “We will continue to strive to create an electrifying experience for the fans to witness these world-class teams and athletes compete for the National Champion title.”
