Gymnastics Announces 2026 Schedule
November 19, 2025 | Gymnastics
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State gymnastics head coach Joanna Saleem has announced the schedule for the upcoming 2026 season which is highlighted by four regular season home meets in Worthen Arena.
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However, fans can get an early sneak peek at the 2026 Cardinals when the team hosts its annual Red vs. White intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.
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Ball State officially opens the 2026 season Sunday, Jan. 11 when Rutgers and Western Michigan visit Worthen Arena for the program's annual Squishmallows Day. If will be the first of back-to-back home meets, as the Cardinals welcome Bowling Green on Sunday, Jan. 18 for K-Pop Demon Hunters Day.
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After trips to Northern Illinois (Jan. 24) and Southeast Missouri State (Feb. 1), Ball State returns to Worthen for its final two home meets. The first will be Feb. 8 showdown versus Kent State and Illinois State for Sports Crossover and Alumni Day. The home finale will be Feb. 15 versus Eastern Michigan for Life As A Gym Girl and Senior Day.
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The Cardinals turn into road warriors for the remainder of the year, with its last five regular meets away from The Nest. During the run, the Cardinals will compete in a quad meet at Missouri (Feb. 20), a dual at Western Michigan (Feb. 22), a quad meet at Pittsburgh (Feb. 27), a quad meet at Maryland (March 7) and a dual at Central Michigan (March 13).
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The 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships will be hosted by Bowling Green on Saturday, March 21.
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Following the MAC Championships, Ball State will have the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Regionals (April 1-5), which will be split up between four predetermined sites. The top 36 teams based on National Qualifying Score (NQS), as well as 12 all-around competitors and 64 individual event specialists (all of whom are not on a qualifying team), earn regional bids.
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The top two teams, along with the top event specialists and all-around performer from a non-qualifying team at each regional, will advance to the 2026 NCAA Championships April 16 & 18 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Â
However, fans can get an early sneak peek at the 2026 Cardinals when the team hosts its annual Red vs. White intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.
Â
Ball State officially opens the 2026 season Sunday, Jan. 11 when Rutgers and Western Michigan visit Worthen Arena for the program's annual Squishmallows Day. If will be the first of back-to-back home meets, as the Cardinals welcome Bowling Green on Sunday, Jan. 18 for K-Pop Demon Hunters Day.
Â
After trips to Northern Illinois (Jan. 24) and Southeast Missouri State (Feb. 1), Ball State returns to Worthen for its final two home meets. The first will be Feb. 8 showdown versus Kent State and Illinois State for Sports Crossover and Alumni Day. The home finale will be Feb. 15 versus Eastern Michigan for Life As A Gym Girl and Senior Day.
Â
The Cardinals turn into road warriors for the remainder of the year, with its last five regular meets away from The Nest. During the run, the Cardinals will compete in a quad meet at Missouri (Feb. 20), a dual at Western Michigan (Feb. 22), a quad meet at Pittsburgh (Feb. 27), a quad meet at Maryland (March 7) and a dual at Central Michigan (March 13).
Â
The 2026 Mid-American Conference Championships will be hosted by Bowling Green on Saturday, March 21.
Â
Following the MAC Championships, Ball State will have the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Regionals (April 1-5), which will be split up between four predetermined sites. The top 36 teams based on National Qualifying Score (NQS), as well as 12 all-around competitors and 64 individual event specialists (all of whom are not on a qualifying team), earn regional bids.
Â
The top two teams, along with the top event specialists and all-around performer from a non-qualifying team at each regional, will advance to the 2026 NCAA Championships April 16 & 18 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
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