Since 2004, Keystone Sports has helped international athletes study and compete in the US and Canada. The Class of 2026 takes us past a landmark: more than 17,300 student-athletes placed, and over $1 billion secured in scholarships.
Another year has passed, and it’s exciting to present our Class of 2026.
This year also marked a first for Keystone Sports: the Class of 2026 pushed our lifetime scholarship total past $1 billion. In 2026, we placed 846 student-athletes from 24 different countries to study and compete within the U.S. college sports system, with Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway and Spain being the top five represented.
This year also saw a shift in the sports driving our placements. We placed student-athletes in 12 different sports this year. Soccer and tennis remained the top sports for both male and female athletes, while field hockey joined track and field in a tie for fifth place for the first time.
We’re also excited to see that the average scholarship amount for Keystone Sports athletes increased this year to $25,970, alongside a new record for the largest single scholarship at $124,000 for one of our athletes.
We are also proud to see that our Class of 2026 secured 41 full-ride scholarships. Female student-athletes received 75.6% of all full-ride scholarships, further demonstrating the strong scholarship opportunities available to our athletes.
For us, these numbers are particularly meaningful because they reflect the growing number of student-athletes discovering the opportunities available through U.S. college sports. With student-athletes from 24 different countries, we are proud to help more young athletes from around the world explore the possibility of studying and competing in the U.S. Scholarships play an important role in making this pathway possible, helping student-athletes combine a university education with high-level competition and take the next step towards their ambitions.
A key milestone this year was completing the integration between Keystone Sports and Aspire USA. The merger was announced in September 2025 and brings together Keystone Sports’ international network and Aspire USA’s expertise in field hockey recruitment.
Founded by former field hockey player Holly Cram, Aspire USA specializes in supporting student-athletes through the U.S. recruitment process, with a focus on Ivy League opportunities.
In the second half of 2026, we also expanded our operations to China, Japan and South Korea. With Chris Chan as Country Head for China and Japan, and a sales team in China, we look forward to bringing our college recruiting services to athletes in the region.
Beyond placement numbers, we’re especially proud of our student-athletes and alumni.
In tennis, English player and former Keystone Sports athlete Henry Patten secured his second Wimbledon Men’s Doubles title. It’s a standout achievement at the highest level of the sport.
In track and field, Angela McAuslan-Kelly represented Scotland in the hammer throw on home soil in the Commonwealth Games. She is completing her third year at Princeton University, where she competes in NCAA Division I and majors in Politics with a focus on policy and international relations.
These achievements highlight the long-term impact of the college sports pathway. Our role doesn’t end at placement; we stay invested as our athletes progress through college and beyond.
U.S. college sports continues to evolve, with new regulations and eligibility rules. It’s more important than ever for student-athletes and their families to stay informed. Our placement and compliance teams closely track these changes to keep families up to date.
In 2026, two major NCAA eligibility developments stood out:
The first was a shift from four seasons of competition within a five-year window to a new five-year competition model. Eligible athletes can now compete for all five years. This is especially relevant for athletes who redshirt, transfer, or face interruptions. It becomes standard for athletes entering college from 2027.
The second was a new age-based eligibility system for Division II. Instead of counting seasons and semesters, athletes now get a five-year eligibility period starting from full-time enrollment or a set age threshold. This becomes the primary basis for eligibility from 2027 onwards.
U.S. college sports’ international profile keeps growing. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, is one example. Several college campuses served as team base camps, bringing top national teams into the college sports environment. It’s a strong showcase of the quality of U.S. university facilities and their rising global visibility.
With these broader developments in mind, the following section takes a closer look at our Class of 2026. Dive into the numbers: student-athletes placed, sports represented, gender distribution, average scholarships, countries represented, full riders, and states where athletes were placed, and much more!
A billion dollars in scholarships
Keystone Sports has secured more than $1 billion in scholarships for international student-athletes since 2004. The Class of 2026 is the class that took the total past it.
$1.03billion
secured in scholarships since 2004
$940M secured up to the Class of 2025 +$87M added by the Class of 2026
Scholarship totals reflect the value of each award across a standard four-year degree. The Class of 2026 added $87 million, taking the lifetime total from $940 million to $1.03 billion.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Scholarships secured | Value |
|---|---|
| Up to and including the Class of 2025 | $940,000,000 |
| Added by the Class of 2026 | $87,400,000 |
| Total since 2004 | $1,027,400,000 |
Keystone Sports, all markets · since 2004
In 2026, we enrolled 846 student-athletes. The majority, 90%, enrolled in the fall semester.
When the Class of 2026 started college
530 of 589 student-athletes began in the fall semester. 59 started in spring.
Fall — 530 (90.0%)Spring — 59 (10.0%)
Fall is the common start because it follows the US academic year, and some colleges admit only in fall. Spring is a real alternative: fall-sport athletes who arrive mid-year are ready for their first full season, and spring-sport athletes join as the season begins.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Intake | Athletes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | 530 | 90.0% |
| Spring 2026 | 59 | 10.0% |
| Total | 589 | 100% |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
This follows the pattern of previous Keystone Sports classes and of U.S. college enrollment in general. Fall is the most common start because it follows the academic year and some colleges only offer fall admission. Still, spring can be a very good option for student-athletes. Athletes in fall sports can join mid-year and be ready for their first full season, while spring sport athletes can join their team when the season starts.
Keystone Sports is Europe’s largest college recruiting agency, but our commitment to helping international students become student-athletes in the U.S. and Canada goes beyond Europe.
Where the Class of 2026 comes from
Keystone Sports placed student-athletes from 24 countries. Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Norway account for 89.3% of them. Each block is sized by the number of athletes.
First-ever Keystone Sports placements came from Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Qatar and Turkey. Nationality is recorded for 578 of the 589 athletes.
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| Country | Athletes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 185 | 32.0% |
| United Kingdom | 119 | 20.6% |
| Sweden | 118 | 20.4% |
| Norway | 94 | 16.3% |
| Switzerland | 16 | 2.8% |
| Denmark | 7 | 1.2% |
| Canada | 5 | 0.9% |
| Finland | 4 | 0.7% |
| Romania | 3 | 0.5% |
| Ireland | 3 | 0.5% |
| Spain | 3 | 0.5% |
| Austria | 3 | 0.5% |
| USA | 3 | 0.5% |
| Lithuania | 2 | 0.3% |
| Greece | 2 | 0.3% |
| Australia | 2 | 0.3% |
| Italy | 2 | 0.3% |
| Faroe Islands | 1 | 0.2% |
| Croatia | 1 | 0.2% |
| Turkey | 1 | 0.2% |
| France | 1 | 0.2% |
| Qatar | 1 | 0.2% |
| Luxembourg | 1 | 0.2% |
| Malaysia | 1 | 0.2% |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
In 2026, we placed student-athletes from 24 countries, with Germany (31.2%), Sweden (20.3%), United Kingdom (20.1%) and Norway (16.3%) making up the largest share. For the first time, we also welcomed students from Croatia, Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Qatar and Turkey. It’s an exciting milestone that shows our reach is growing, adds more diversity to the Keystone Sports community, and shows that more athletes around the world are discovering the U.S. college sports pathway.
This summer, we expanded our services to China, Japan and South Korea. At the end of summer, we launched a new website for both markets, localized and tailored to each. With Chris Chan as Country Head and a sales team in China, we are building our presence in the region and look forward to supporting more young athletes from China, Japan and South Korea in the years to come.
In our Class of 2026, 31.4% of placed student-athletes are female and 68.6% are male. This represents a lower share of female athletes compared with the overall NCAA student-athlete population, where women account for approximately 43% and men 57% of all athletes.
The difference points to an opportunity to further increase the number of female student-athletes we place in U.S. college sports. At the same time, our scholarship results show particularly strong outcomes for the female athletes we do place. More than 75.6% of all full-ride scholarships awarded in 2026 went to female student-athletes. In total, 16.7 % of all female athletes in our Class of 2026 received a full-ride scholarship.
When looking at individual sports, the gender distribution varies. Field hockey has the highest share of female athletes in our placements, since it is offered almost exclusively as a women’s sport at the college level. Among sports offered to both men and women, track and field has the highest share of female athletes, at 65%. This reflects a broader trend in U.S. college sports, where track and field is one of the largest and fastest-growing women’s sports, with strong participation across both outdoor and indoor programs.
Female share of the Class of 2026, by sport
185 of 589 student-athletes are female (31.4%) and 404 are male (68.6%). The share runs from 24% in soccer to 100% in field hockey.
Dotted line = class average, 31.4%
Field hockey is offered almost exclusively as a women's sport at US college level. Among sports played by both, track & field has the highest female share at 65%. Sports with at least five placements and at least one female athlete are plotted; basketball (11 placements, none female) is in the table below. The dotted line marks the class average.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Sport | Placed | Female | Female share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Hockey | 20 | 20 | 100.0% |
| Track & Field | 20 | 13 | 65.0% |
| Swimming | 19 | 7 | 36.8% |
| Tennis | 136 | 50 | 36.8% |
| Golf | 44 | 12 | 27.3% |
| Soccer | 330 | 79 | 23.9% |
| Basketball | 11 | 0 | 0.0% |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
Our network offers student-athletes a wide range of opportunities, with colleges and universities across North America. This year, we placed student-athletes in 45 U.S. states. From east to west, each state offers a different climate, culture, and experience.
Another interesting data includes the states where our Class of 2026 athletes were placed. New York was the top state, with the most placements (46) and up with 24% since last year. This marks a shift at the top, as Florida held the number one spot last year. For our Class of 2026, California and Iowa came second and third. We also welcome Vermont as a new destination in our Class of 2026, marking the first time we have placed athletes in the state.
Where in the United States the Class of 2026 went
Keystone Sports placed student-athletes in 45 of the 50 US states, at 343 different universities and colleges. Darker tiles took more athletes.
None1–56–1516–3031+
119 of the 343 destination institutions had not taken a Keystone Sports athlete in 2024 or 2025. A state is recorded for 546 of the 589 athletes. Tiles are schematic, not to scale.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| State | Athletes |
|---|---|
| California | 47 |
| New York | 46 |
| Iowa | 35 |
| Illinois | 33 |
| Tennessee | 27 |
| Kentucky | 26 |
| Kansas | 26 |
| North Carolina | 23 |
| Florida | 22 |
| Missouri | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | 20 |
| Ohio | 20 |
| New Jersey | 16 |
| Alabama | 15 |
| Oklahoma | 12 |
| Virginia | 12 |
| West Virginia | 12 |
| Indiana | 12 |
| Wisconsin | 11 |
| Georgia | 10 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| Connecticut | 9 |
| Nebraska | 7 |
| Texas | 7 |
| Washington | 7 |
| Massachusetts | 7 |
| Michigan | 6 |
| Arizona | 6 |
| Minnesota | 5 |
| Arkansas | 5 |
| Maine | 4 |
| North Dakota | 4 |
| Colorado | 3 |
| Mississippi | 3 |
| Louisiana | 3 |
| New Hampshire | 3 |
| New Mexico | 2 |
| Oregon | 2 |
| Vermont | 1 |
| Delaware | 1 |
| Utah | 1 |
| Montana | 1 |
| Hawaii | 1 |
| Maryland | 1 |
| Wyoming | 1 |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
Across these 45 states, we have placed student-athletes at 343 different universities and colleges. From large public universities and Ivy League institutions to smaller colleges, student-athletes can choose from diverse academic and athletic environments. This once again demonstrates Keystone Sports commitment to finding the right match for every student-athlete, no matter where they want to study and play.
College sports in the U.S. are governed mainly by four associations. The two largest are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) oversees junior college sports, often called JUCO, and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) serves Christian colleges.
Each division offers something different, so the best fit depends on the athlete’s ambitions, level, and priorities. At Keystone Sports, we take each athlete’s wishes and goals into account and help them find the division and program that fits them best.
In 2026, we placed student-athletes across all major divisions, with NAIA representing the highest number, followed by JUCO and NCAA Division II. Narrowing it down to market level, Germany and Nordics had most athletes placed in NAIA, followed by NCAA Division II. In the UK, JUCO had the highest number of placements, with NAIA ranking second.
Which divisions the Class of 2026 plays in
The NAIA takes the largest share of Keystone Sports placements, but each market has its own signature: the UK sends far more athletes to junior college, the Nordics far more to NCAA Division III.
NAIANCAA Division IIJUCONCAA Division INCAA Division III
Shares are of athletes whose division is recorded. One athlete was placed in the USCAA and is omitted from the bars. Hover or tap a segment for the athlete count.
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| Market | NAIA | NCAA Division II | JUCO | NCAA Division I | NCAA Division III | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All three markets | 153 (28.4%) | 109 (20.2%) | 107 (19.9%) | 101 (18.7%) | 68 (12.6%) | 539 |
| KS Germany | 66 (27.5%) | 57 (23.8%) | 44 (18.3%) | 49 (20.4%) | 23 (9.6%) | 240 |
| KS Nordics | 56 (27.6%) | 46 (22.7%) | 26 (12.8%) | 35 (17.2%) | 40 (19.7%) | 203 |
| KS UK | 31 (32.3%) | 6 (6.2%) | 37 (38.5%) | 17 (17.7%) | 5 (5.2%) | 96 |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
Unlike the NCAA, the NAIA has no internal divisions, no recruiting calendar restrictions or dead periods, and allows partial scholarships through an equivalency model. NAIA offers several advantages for student-athletes, particularly in international recruitment.
JUCO represents another important pathway, particularly for student-athletes seeking greater flexibility in their recruitment or an opportunity to develop academically and athletically before transferring to a four-year institution.
Study costs are rising globally, driven by tuition inflation, reduced state funding, and higher living expenses. For more than two-thirds of students, affordability is the primary consideration when choosing where to study.
A U.S. education is an investment, and for student-athletes, sport scholarships make a significant difference to cover the costs. In 2026, the average scholarship for our student-athletes was 25,970 USD per year, which is an increase from 2025’s average scholarship number.
A partial scholarship covers some of the major college costs, while a full ride scholarship covers all major college costs. Full rides are highly attractive and are awarded to exceptional student-athletes.
In 2026, we are proud to have secured 41 full-ride scholarships, representing an impressive 46.4% increase from 2025. Female athletes accounted for 75.6% of all full-ride awards, highlighting the strong opportunities available to female student-athletes within the U.S. college sports system.
Full-ride scholarships won, 2024 to 2026
Keystone Sports athletes won 41 full rides in the Class of 2026, 46.4% more than the 28 won in 2025. Female athletes took 31 of them.
Won by female athletesWon by male athletes
A full ride covers 100% of the university's stated cost of attendance. 16.8% of all female athletes placed in 2026 won one, against 2.5% of male athletes.
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| Class | Won by female athletes | Won by male athletes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2024 | 17 | 13 | 30 |
| Class of 2025 | 19 | 9 | 28 |
| Class of 2026 | 31 | 10 | 41 |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
For many families, a U.S. sports scholarship is what makes this investment realistic, opening the door to a well-regarded degree and a valuable international experience. We are pleased to see that the average scholarship amount increased in 2026 compared with 2025, making the opportunity even more accessible for student-athletes and their families.
For the Class of 2026, the average annual scholarship value varies considerably by division. NCAA Division I leads at $45,997 per year, followed by Division III at $28,288, Division II at $25,350, NAIA at $22,002, and junior college at $8,151.
NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships. The Division III average therefore reflects academic, merit-based, and other institutional aid.
What a scholarship is worth, division by division
One dot is one athlete. An NCAA Division I place averaged $45,584 a year — more than five times the junior-college average. The vertical rule on each row is the average.
NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships; the Division III figure reflects academic, merit-based and other institutional aid. Covers the 449 athletes with both a recorded award and a recorded division. A handful of awards above $90,000 sit on the axis edge.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Division | Athletes | Average | Median | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I | 80 | $45,584 | $45,315 | $9,154 | $88,693 |
| NCAA Division III | 63 | $29,380 | $29,000 | $1,500 | $71,226 |
| NCAA Division II | 103 | $25,243 | $24,950 | $2,500 | $63,390 |
| NAIA | 144 | $22,085 | $22,000 | $3,000 | $55,476 |
| JUCO | 59 | $8,151 | $7,770 | $1,400 | $34,000 |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
In 2026, the top two sports by number of athletes placed were soccer (332; 56.1%of all students placed) and tennis (136; 23%of all students placed). This year also brought growth in basketball and especially in field hockey. For the first time, field hockey is among our top five sports, tied with track and field, and is up 122% from last year.
This shift reflects the growing interest in college field hockey, supported by our merger last year with Aspire USA – a UK based college recruiting agency founded by former field hockey player Holly Cram. We also ran several successful field hockey events, including clinics with NCAA Division I coaches and scouting days in both Germany and the UK. We’re excited to see the interest in college field hockey continue to grow and look forward to our first US College Field Hockey Showcases in December in London (UK) and Mönchengladbach (Germany)
The sports the Class of 2026 plays
Each square is one in every hundred student-athletes. Soccer accounts for 56.1% of placements and tennis for 23.1%; together with golf they make up 87% of the class.
SoccerTennisGolf9 other sports
Field hockey entered the top five for the first time, level with track & field on 20 placements and up 122% on 2025; basketball rose 83%. Twelve sports in total.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Sport | Athletes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer | 330 | 56.1% |
| Tennis | 136 | 23.1% |
| Golf | 44 | 7.5% |
| Track & Field | 20 | 3.4% |
| Field Hockey | 20 | 3.4% |
| Swimming | 19 | 3.2% |
| Basketball | 11 | 1.9% |
| Rugby | 3 | 0.5% |
| Volleyball | 2 | 0.3% |
| Equestrian | 1 | 0.2% |
| Cheerleading | 1 | 0.2% |
| Alpine Skiing | 1 | 0.2% |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
For Keystone Sports athletes, the median recruiting process takes 212 days. This is measured from the day an athlete signs with Keystone Sports and becomes a client to the day they are successfully recruited by a coach and commit to a college or university.
That timeline reflects how our process is built. Keystone Sports has a dedicated team for each step of the college recruiting process, including commercial, placement, operations, compliance, and admissions. From building the athlete’s profile to coach outreach and the final commitment, our teams work together to keep every stage on track. Having guided 17,346 of athletes through this process, we know what to expect at each stage, which helps families avoid delays and keep the process moving toward a commitment within that 212-day median.
How quickly a Keystone Sports athlete commits to a college
The median athlete went from signing with Keystone Sports to committing to a US college in 212 days — just under seven months. The curve shows the share committed by any point after signing.
Measured from the date the athlete signed with Keystone Sports to the date they committed to a college, for the 546 athletes with both dates recorded. Hover or tap the curve to read any point.
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| Time since signing | Athletes committed | Share of the class |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 111 | 20% |
| 6 months | 241 | 44% |
| 9 months | 322 | 59% |
| 12 months | 380 | 70% |
| Eventually | 546 | 100% |
Keystone Sports Nordics, Keystone Sports Germany and Keystone Sports UK · Class of 2026
Our Class of 2026 represents a year of growth and change across U.S. college sports. We placed 846 student-athletes at 343 colleges and universities in 45 states, including athletes from five countries we had never placed from before. Soccer and tennis remained our most popular sports, field hockey entered our top five for the first time, up 122% from last year, supported by the integration with Aspire USA.
Scholarship results were strong across the class. The average scholarship increased to $25,970, and our athletes secured 41 full-ride scholarships, 46.4% more than in 2025. Female athletes received 75.6% of those full rides, which shows the opportunities available to women in U.S. college sports and the room we have to place more of them. Behind these results is a college recruiting process that moves efficiently: the median athlete went from signing with Keystone Sports to committing to a college or university in 212 days.
The story goes beyond the numbers. Our athletes and alumni continue to achieve at a high level, from Henry Patten’s second Wimbledon Men’s Doubles title to Angela McAuslan Kelly representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games while studying at Princeton University. Their journeys show the long-term impact of a U.S. college experience, and we stay invested in our athletes well beyond placement.
The college sports system is also changing. New NCAA eligibility rules take effect from 2027, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup raised the international profile of U.S. campuses. For student-athletes and their families, staying informed matters more than ever, which is why our placement and compliance teams closely track every change and keep families up to date.
As we close the Class of 2026 report, we are proud of what this year represents: more athletes discovering the opportunity to study and compete in the U.S. and more pathways opening, with our expansion into China, Japan and South Korea and our first US College Field Hockey Showcase in Field Hockey Showcases in the UK and Germany in December are still to come. As a team, we look forward to supporting our student-athletes throughout their college journeys and beyond.
Ready to take an important step towards a football scholarship in the USA? Then Keystone Sports College Soccer Scouting Day is the event for you! On April 26 at Spencer Mill Football Club in Northampton, we dedicate a full day for footballers who want to get a better understanding of the US college pathway, showcase their talent, and get evaluated by experts.
