The road to the national championship is nearing its final stage as the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship enters the Final Four. After weeks of single-elimination action, four programs remain in contention for one of college lacrosse’s biggest prizes, with the semifinals taking place on Saturday, May 23, before the national championship game on Monday, May 25 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The 2026 tournament began with an 18-team field, featuring 10 automatic qualifiers and eight at-large selections. The four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers competed in opening-round games to determine the final two spots in the first round. Every game has been win-or-go-home, creating dramatic matchups and setting the stage for championship weekend.
2026 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final Four Matchups
The semifinal schedule is now set:
| Matchup | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Princeton vs. Duke | Noon ET | ESPN2 |
| No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 Syracuse | 2:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2 |
Both games will take place at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
How the Teams Reached the Semifinals
The tournament bracket produced several standout performances on the way to championship weekend:
- Princeton advanced after defeating Penn State in the quarterfinals.
- Duke survived a difficult path to reach the semifinals.
- Syracuse continued its strong postseason run.
- Notre Dame earned its spot after advancing through a competitive bracket.
2026 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship Bracket Overview
Opening-round winners included:
- Marist def. Stony Brook
- Jacksonville def. Robert Morris
Quarterfinal winners:
- Princeton
- Duke
- Syracuse
- Notre Dame
The tournament has once again highlighted the depth of Division I men’s lacrosse, with powerhouse programs and emerging contenders battling through a demanding postseason format.
National Championship Game Details
The winners of Saturday’s semifinal contests will advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Game:
- Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Virginia
- TV: ESPN
Championship Weekend Takes Center Stage
With only four teams left standing, every possession becomes critical. Princeton enters championship weekend as the top remaining seed, but Duke, Notre Dame, and Syracuse all have legitimate championship aspirations.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship has delivered intense matchups throughout the bracket, and now the sport’s biggest stage is ready for its final chapter as teams battle for the national title.