NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026

NCC 2026

Compete in St. Louis for the 2026 Title

USFHL's National Club Championships for 2026 are being held in St. Louis, MO from July 10th - 12th. The tournament will consist of the top Women's and the Men's teams in the country.

Current USA FH National membership is required by July 3 for all NCCs athletes. 

Tournament Structure

The men's and women's divisions will consist of a groups stage followed by knock out rounds that will place teams all the way down the rankings. Each team is guaranteed 4 games starting Friday July 10 - Sunday July 12.

Rankings

Performance in USFHL competitions contributes to a club's position in the National Rankings, which are used to create seeding at future tournaments.

2025 Men's National Champions

DC Dragons Field Hockey Club

📍 Washington, District of Columbia

2025 Women's National Champions

Atlanta Field Hockey Club

📍 Atlanta, Georgia

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PATHWAY

Tournament Schedule Coming June 1

Below is the 2026 National Club Championships for Men and Women. Matches are held in St. Louis Missouri from July 10 - 12 at Sportport International and Saint Louis University Field.

SportPort Field Address - 12525 Sport Prt Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Saint Louis University Field Address - 3318 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103

 

Additional Resources

USFHL Tournament Structure 

Section I. Tournament Format 

All USFHL National Championship Pathway Events will have the following structure: ● Games will be 4 quarters of 12-minutes with 2-minutes in between quarters and a 5-minute halftime 

  • Games will start at the specified time on the schedule 
  • Games will have a rolling clock with no stoppage of time for any reason, including injuries, penalties, cards, umpire reviews, etc. 
  • Pool play tiebreaker order will be: 
  1. Head-to-head record 
  2. Goal differential 
  3. Goals against (lower) 
  4. Goals for (higher) 
  5. # of wins 
  6. Best of 3 shootout (or if no shootout is possible, then highest national club ranking seed going into the event) 
  • All tournaments must conclude with each team having a unique finish 

At the conclusion of each tournament, teams will receive points based on their finish towards the USFHL National Club Rankings 

Section II. Tournament Seeding Process 

All USFHL National Championship Pathway Event pools & schedules will be based on each club’s pre-tournament seed. Clubs will be seeded as follows: 

  1. Previous year’s National Champion (#1) 
  2. Current USFHL National Club Ranking
  3. If Current USFHL National Club Ranking is within 3 of the next seeded club, seeding goes to head-to-head based on last year’s NCC performance, then last year’s RCC performance, and then current year’s Play-In Event to prioritize recent results 4. New clubs are randomized into the remaining spots 

Example: 

Women’s 2026 South RCC Club Seeding: 

#1: Atlanta FHC (Previous year’s National Champion, #2 ranked) 

#2: Charlotte Ambush (#11 ranked, 6th NCC, 1st RCC) 

#3: Lone Star (#10 ranked, 1st Play-In, no RCC/NCC results last year) 

#4: Florida United (#16 ranked, 3rd RCC) 

#5: Miami Surf (#15 ranked, 4th RCC) 

#6: Key Biscayne (#27 ranked, 2nd Play-In, 5th RCC last year) 

Volunteer Opportunities – USFHL National Club Championships

The United States Field Hockey League National Club Championships are made possible through the support of dedicated volunteers helping deliver a professional championship experience for athletes and spectators from across the country.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following roles at both tournament venues in St. Louis:


Technical Table Volunteers (18+)

Technical Table volunteers play an important role in supporting match operations and helping games run smoothly and on schedule. Responsibilities may include assisting with scorekeeping, timing, match documentation, and communication with tournament staff and officials.

This role is ideal for individuals who are organized, attentive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced sports environment.


Ball Runners (14+)

Ball Runners help keep matches flowing efficiently by quickly returning balls to the field of play during games. This role provides a great opportunity to be close to the action and contribute directly to the championship atmosphere.

Ball Runners should be energetic, reliable, and comfortable spending extended time outdoors around competitive play.


Volunteers will receive community service hours, event experience, and the opportunity to be part of one of the premier adult field hockey events in the United States.

For more information or to sign up, please contact execboard@usfhl.com or complete the volunteer interest form here.

Coming June 1

Inclement Weather Policy

USFHL National Club Championships

SportPort International & Saint Louis University

The safety of athletes, officials, staff, volunteers, and spectators is the top priority of the United States Field Hockey League. In the event of inclement weather or unsafe playing conditions, tournament staff will work closely with venue personnel, umpires, and event leadership to determine the safest course of action.

This policy applies to all matches and activities taking place at:

  • SportPort International
  • Saint Louis University

Weather Monitoring

Tournament staff will actively monitor weather conditions throughout the event using local forecasts, radar systems, and lightning detection tools.

Conditions that may impact play include:

  • Lightning or thunder
  • Heavy rain or flooding
  • Extreme heat
  • Severe wind
  • Unsafe field conditions

Lightning & Thunder Policy

If lightning is detected or thunder is heard within the area:

  • All matches and warmups will be suspended immediately.
  • Players, coaches, officials, and spectators must leave the field area and seek appropriate shelter.
  • Play may resume no earlier than 30 minutes after the last observed lightning strike or thunder occurrence.

Tournament staff may extend delays if additional weather activity develops.


Match Delays & Schedule Adjustments

In the event of weather delays, USFHL reserves the right to:

  • Delay match start times
  • Shorten match durations
  • Modify warmup times
  • Adjust field assignments
  • Reschedule or relocate matches where possible

Every effort will be made to maintain the integrity of the competition while prioritizing participant safety and tournament completion.


Communication During Weather Delays

Updates regarding delays, schedule adjustments, and resumptions of play will be communicated through:

  • Tournament staff and technical tables
  • Official USFHL communication channels
  • Team representatives and coaches
  • Venue announcements where available

Teams are responsible for remaining attentive to official event communications throughout the tournament.


Extreme Heat

In cases of extreme heat or dangerous heat index conditions, tournament staff may implement:

  • Additional water breaks
  • Extended halftime periods
  • Adjusted schedules
  • Other athlete safety measures deemed necessary

Teams are strongly encouraged to ensure athletes remain properly hydrated throughout the event.


Final Authority

The United States Field Hockey League tournament committee retains final authority on all weather-related decisions and schedule modifications. All decisions made in the interest of participant safety are final.

Any official USFHL Qualifier or National Club Championship game interrupted due to a force majeure event beyond the control of the tournament official, such as inclement weather, or a crisis out of the organizers control, the tournament schedule may be altered.  If games are suspended, the point of suspension should be noted in the scorebook as well as the placement of the game ball and team possession. Any game resumed shall be restarted accordingly.
All matches are fully played until it becomes infeasible per the tournament schedule. Tournament Director will make decision on schedule changes based in best interest of the tournament
For any game suspended but not resumed the following rules shall apply:
• If one (1) half or more of the game has been played the score at the time of suspension shall be the final score;
• If less than one (1) half of the game has been played the score of the game shall be determined via a shootout (best of 5, going on to sudden death if tied after 5). If no shootout can take place due to a force majeure event the final score shall be a 0-0 tie, and such result shall be reflected in the competition standings accordingly.
Competition play shall always be resumed with the suspended game first and follow the original schedule order. If any games need to be shortened to accommodate the tournament schedule the following sequencing shall apply:
• The first reduction of game time shall start with equal reduction of all games left in the tournament except for the championship.  A decision might be made to keep the full time for championship games.
• If no game can be guaranteed a minimum of one (1) half of playing time the final score shall be determined via a shootout (best of 5, going on to sudden death if tied after 5). If no shootout can take place due to a force majeure event the final score shall be a 0-0 tie, and such result shall be reflected in the competition standings accordingly.
• Consolation Games may need to be cancelled starting on Sunday starting with the lowest placed teams first.
Notification of decisions and revisions to the schedule shall be updated at a minimum every 60 min by the tournament officials.
*The actual result of any shootout taking place as a consequence of a force majeure event shall be the final score (e.g. if Team A beats Team B 3-2 in the shootout, that shall be the final result reflected in the competition standings).

USFHL Uniform Guidelines 

Section I. Uniform Requirement Roll-Out 

  • 2026: Uniforms will be required for all teams participating in the 2026 National Club Championship 
  • 2027: Uniforms will be required for all teams participating in the 2027 Regional Club Championships and 2027 National Club Championship 
  • 2028 & beyond: Uniforms will be required for all teams participating in all USFHL Championship Pathway events starting in 2028 and beyond 

Section II. Uniform Guidelines 

  1. Members of all teams must be in “proper uniform” with numbers on at least the back of the jersey top. Proper uniform = 

○ Tops: 

■ Short sleeve shirts, tank tops, or long sleeves may be worn and must be distinctly the same 

■ Pinnies will not be accepted, teams wearing pinnies may be penalized with a game forfeit 

■ Non-mesh reversible uniform tops are acceptable provided numbers are on both sides 

■ Any shirts worn underneath the official uniform top must be consistent with the team’s base uniform color (Ex: If the team is wearing navy blue uniform tops with yellow stripes, all undershirts must be navy) or be the traditional colors of black for the distinctly dark uniform and white for the distinctly light uniform ○ Bottoms: 

■ Shorts or kilts/skirts may be worn 

■ Shorts or kilts/skirts must be of like color and distinctly the same (Example: one player wearing Lululemon black shorts and another player wearing Nike black shorts is not considered distinctly the same, but one player wearing Osaka uniform shorts and another player wearing an Osaka uniform kilt/skirt with the same color/design as the shorts is considered distinctly the same) 

○ Socks: 

■ Socks must be a minimum of 75% of one-color 

■ The color of the socks and/or shin guards must be consistent with the team uniform colors (distinctly light or distinctly dark) and of a contrasting color to the opposing team 

  1. Each team must have two sets of uniform tops and socks, one distinctly light and one distinctly dark 

○ Distinctly light: the dominant color is a “light” shade (white, light gray, pastel colors, etc.), and there are no significant confusing tones on the jersey top or socks that generally do not qualify as “distinctly light” (blacks or other dark colors). It should be clearly distinguishable from a team wearing dark colors when viewed at any distance. 

○ Distinctly dark: the dominant color is a “dark” shade (black, navy, maroon, neon/bright strong colors, and other saturated dark tones), and there are no significant confusing tones on the jersey top or socks that generally do not qualify as “distinctly dark” (white, etc.). It should be clearly distinguishable from a team wearing light colors when viewed at any distance. 

  1. All playing members of the team must be distinctly the same in all aspects of the uniform (tops, bottoms, socks, and undershirts), teams with playing members with any item of the uniform not matching may be penalized with a game forfeit 
  2. It is strongly recommended that all teams have both sets of team uniforms pitch side, at the team bench, when arriving at their matches, to facilitate a quick change in the event of a uniform conflict 

Section III. Tournament Guidelines 

  1. The team listed first on the schedule will wear dark uniform shirts and socks. As such, the team listed second will wear light uniform shirts and socks. 
  2. The team not in compliance will be required to change uniforms at the request of the umpires, tournament officials, or USFHL Staff 

○ If a team refuses to change or does not have a second set of uniforms that will make them compliant, the game may be cancelled and the team unable to comply will be penalized with a game forfeit 

○ If both teams are in compliance and a conflict still exists, the team listed first will be required to change uniform tops and socks. Umpires, tournament officials, or USFHL Staff will determine if a conflict exists. 

  1. Goalkeepers must wear a colored shirt or garment which is completely different in color and distinctive from that of both teams. Goalkeepers are required to have a minimum of two shirts or garments of contrasting color to team uniform shirts with numbers on at least the back. 
  2. All players must have a unique number 
  3. Only players wearing the proper, compliant uniform can play 
  4. The captain must wear a distinctive armband or similar distinguishing article on an upper arm or over one of their socks 
  5. Registration wristbands must be worn at all times by all players 
  6. All field players must wear a face mask when defending a penalty corner. It must be a smooth preferably transparent or white but otherwise single colored face mask or a metal grill face mask, which closely follows the contours of the face 

If a game is forfeited due to any of the above listed uniform rules, a 3-0 win will be awarded to the opponent, and the opponent will be given the choice on whether or not to play the game.

Stream 2026 National Club Championships Live!

2026 Saturday and Sunday NCC Games will be live streamed on Youtube. We will have two YouTube channels streaming (one for each field) simultaneously. Each match will have its own stream link, so visit the YouTube Channels below to see match streams for each field!

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