The NCAA’s Division I Field Hockey Championships will air this spring on ESPN networks as part of the company’s expansion of college championship coverage.
What’s Happening:
- ESPN and the NCAA have announced the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship semifinals and final will be presented live on ESPN’s linear and digital networks through at least 2023.
- The NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship semifinals and final will be televised live on ESPNU on Sunday, May 9 in primetime at 7 pm ET.
- Originally scheduled for November 2020 in Norfolk, Va., the Field Hockey Championship will instead be played at Karen Shelton Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina.
- The championship field will consist of 12 teams – nine automatic qualifiers and three at-large selections – and will be unveiled via a selection show streamed on NCAA.com Saturday, April 24 at 10 pm ET.
- The semifinals will air Friday, May 7 at 1 and 4 pm on ESPN3 followed by the championship trophy presentation at the conclusion of the title game.
- Mike Corey will handle play-by-play duties while Leah Secondo will provide analysis.
- Both the semifinals and final will be available on the ESPN App to authenticated subscribers.
- With the addition of field hockey, ESPN now presents a total of 29 NCAA Championships, including 15 women’s championships.
- Beyond the NCAA Championship, more than 100 regular-season and conference tournament field hockey games air across ACC Network, ESPN3, ESPN+ and ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).
What They’re Saying:
- Dan Margulis, ESPN senior director, programming & acquisitions: “We could not be more excited for the opportunity to add the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship to our extensive portfolio of NCAA coverage. Our commitment to NCAA Championships is second to none, and we take pride in showcasing this sport and its incredible female student-athletes in front of a live television audience this year and beyond.”
- Steve Kanaby, Chair of the Division I Field Hockey Committee: “We are incredibly excited that ESPN is committing to this level of coverage of the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship, showcasing women’s field hockey at its highest level and elevating the sport like never before. The exposure generated by this partnership will only further our mission of growing the game of field hockey across the country.”