University of North Carolina Athletics
Cross Country Unveils 2026 Schedule
August 4, 2026 | Cross Country
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina cross country has announced its 2026 schedule, with the fall slate set to begin in September.Â
The Tar Heels enter the 2026 season after earning another bid to the NCAA Championships, the 12th overall for the men's program and 20th for the women's. Last year's competition marked the fifth consecutive national championship appearance for the men's team and the fifth appearance in the last six seasons for the women, with the latter finishing 11th overall in back-to-back years. Â
UNC will travel to Charlottesville, Va. to open the season at the Virginia Invitational on September 11 with the meet scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Carolina last competed at the Cavaliers' hosted meet during the 2024 season where the men's and women's team swept the competition, earning 31 and 23 points respectively.Â
The next meet after the season opener, the Tar Heels will head to the Garden State to compete at Princeton on September 25, with races beginning at 10:30 a.m. North Carolina returns to the Princeton Invitational after a one-year absence.Â
Carolina's next competition will be the Pre-Nationals Invitational hosted by Indiana State in Terra Haute, Ind. on October 16. Racing is set to begin at 10 a.m.Â
Following Pre-Nationals, North Carolina will begin postseason competition with the ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Va. on October 30. The Tar Heels will then travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for the NCAA Southeast Regional where they will look to earn a spot at the NCAA Championships, set to be held on November 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.Â
The Tar Heels enter the 2026 season after earning another bid to the NCAA Championships, the 12th overall for the men's program and 20th for the women's. Last year's competition marked the fifth consecutive national championship appearance for the men's team and the fifth appearance in the last six seasons for the women, with the latter finishing 11th overall in back-to-back years. Â
UNC will travel to Charlottesville, Va. to open the season at the Virginia Invitational on September 11 with the meet scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Carolina last competed at the Cavaliers' hosted meet during the 2024 season where the men's and women's team swept the competition, earning 31 and 23 points respectively.Â
The next meet after the season opener, the Tar Heels will head to the Garden State to compete at Princeton on September 25, with races beginning at 10:30 a.m. North Carolina returns to the Princeton Invitational after a one-year absence.Â
Carolina's next competition will be the Pre-Nationals Invitational hosted by Indiana State in Terra Haute, Ind. on October 16. Racing is set to begin at 10 a.m.Â
Following Pre-Nationals, North Carolina will begin postseason competition with the ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Va. on October 30. The Tar Heels will then travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for the NCAA Southeast Regional where they will look to earn a spot at the NCAA Championships, set to be held on November 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.Â
Tuesday, August 04
Thursday, July 30
Thursday, July 30
Tuesday, July 28