Stanford, Cal, Louisville Bring CSL Up to 10 Teams for First Season
Stanford, Cal and Louisville this week announced their participation in the inaugural season of the College Swimming League.
The CSL is up to 10 of the 12 teams it is anticipating for its inaugural season in 2026-27. The teams will compete in eight streamlined dual meets in an attempt to inject new energy to the format. All meets will count toward NCAA individual qualification as well as toward the NCAA’s dual-meet requirements.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to compete in the College Swimming League this fall,” Stanford coaches Chris Lindauer and Dan Schemmel said in a joint statement. “We believe the CSL will provide an innovative format and competitive experience that will be challenging and fun for our student-athletes to be a part of.”
The three new teams join Ohio State, Alabama, NC State, Michigan, Auburn, Georgia and Virginia as having already committed in recent weeks.
“Louisville is exactly the kind of program we wanted in our first season,” College Swimming League CEO Rob Kent said of the Cardinals. “They show up ready to race, they’ve got a fanbase that travels well, and they make every meet they’re in more competitive. We’re excited to have the Cardinals as part of our debut.”
Two teams remain to be announced. But at the moment, the CSL has commitments from a substantial portion of the top finishers form NCAAs last year.
On the men’s side, CSL teams finished sixth (NC State), seventh (Cal), eighth (Michigan), ninth (Virginia), 10th (Stanford), 12th (Louisville), 13th (Ohio State), 15th (Georgia), 17th (Auburn) and 24th (Alabama) last year.
The women’s field is even more loaded, with six-time reigning NCAA champion Virginia and last year’s runner-up Stanford represented. Cal was fourth. Michigan (sixth), Louisville (eighth) and NC State (ninth) make it more than half of the top 10. Alabama was 11th, Ohio State 12th, Georgia 15th and Auburn 25th.
