Understand the Three Main College Sports Seasons
Fall, winter, spring: Which season is your college sport in?
If you’re new to US college sports, one of the first things to know is that there are three main college sports seasons: fall, winter, and spring. Each sport has a set time when official games and championships happen.
In Europe, for example, the soccer season lasts around 7 to 8 months, with training and matches spread throughout that time. In contrast, college soccer in the US is a fall sport, so the official championship goes from late summer to late autumn.
Even though athletes compete during their main season, training never really stops. Athletes prepare in preseason, compete during the season, and then stay fit with off-season workouts. So, even though college soccer is officially in the fall, teams keep training and play friendly games during the spring months too.
The exact start and end dates can vary depending on the sport, the league (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA), and even the region of the country.
Now, let’s break down what sports belong to each season.
Fall Sports (August – December)
Preseason starts in early August, often before classes begin. Games kick off soon after the semester starts, and championships usually happen in November or early December.
Fall sports include:
- Cross Country – Men & Women
- Field Hockey – Women
- Football – Men
- Soccer – Men & Women
- Volleyball – Women
- Water Polo – Men
Note: Golf and tennis may have tournaments in the fall, but their main championship season is in the spring.
Winter Sports (November – March)
Preseason for winter sports begins in October or early November. Regular season begins in November or December and continue through the winter months, with teams competing multiple times a week. Championships often happen in March, such as the famous “March Madness” for basketball.
Winter sports include:
- Basketball – Men & Women
- Bowling – Men & Women
- Fencing – Men & Women
- Gymnastics – Men & Women
- Ice Hockey – Men & Women
- Indoor Track & Field – Men & Women
- Rifle – Men & Women
- Skiing – Men & Women
- Swimming & Diving – Men & Women
- Wrestling – Men
Spring Sports (January – May)
Preseason starts in January, right after winter break. The official competition in February with championships happening in May or early June, just before summer break.
Spring sports include:
- Baseball – Men
- Beach Volleyball – Women
- Golf – Men & Women
- Gymnastics – Men & Women
- Lacrosse – Men & Women
- Outdoor Track & Field – Men & Women
- Rowing – Men & Women
- Softball – Women
- Tennis – Men & Women
- Volleyball – Men
- Water Polo – Women
Sports with Unique Schedules
Some college sports don’t follow the typical season pattern.
- Equestrian competes in both fall and spring, with year-round training.
- Esports often runs in both semesters, with many online tournaments throughout the year.
- Rugby varies by region—some men’s teams play in the fall, others in the spring, while women’s rugby is mostly spring.
- Cheerleading supports other teams during their seasons and competes nationally, but doesn’t have one fixed season.
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About the author
Lorena Montañés
Lorena Montañés, SEO Specialist at Keystone Sports, pursued her career in the U.S., playing DI soccer at California State University, Fresno. There, she earned degrees in Mass Communication & Journalism and Psychology. She later completed an MBA in Business Analytics while coaching at a Division II university. Now, she aims to empower other student-athletes to achieve their dreams and have a life-changing experience.
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