Cal Opens Season In Inaugural College Swimming League

Friday, October 2

California

CSL Match 1

9/30/2026 3:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving

Bears Begin 2026-27 Campaign Friday

By: Cal Athletics

The California men's and women's swimming teams will open the 2026-27 season in Stanford, Calif., competing in the inaugural season of the College Swimming League (CSL). The Golden Bears will face Stanford, Ohio State and Auburn in their first CSL match.

MEET INFORMATION

CSL Match 1

Date and Time: Friday, Oct. 2, at 5:30 p.m. PT
Location: Stanford, CA | Avery Aquatic Center
Live Stream: ESPN+

What Is The College Swimming League?

Cal is one of 12 NCAA programs competing in the inaugural season of the College Swimming League (CSL), a brand-new competition modeled after the International Swimming League (ISL). Each match features four teams battling head-to-head in a fast-paced, high-energy short-course yards format.

Last Time Out

Cal concluded the 2025-26 season with a seventh-place finish for the men and a fourth-place finish for the women at the NCAA Championships. The women's finish marked the program's highest since 2021 and saw Claire Weinstein capture Cal's first individual national title since 2019. In total, the Bears reached six podiums, earned 21 All-America honors and broke four program records. On the men's side, Yamato Okadome captured national titles in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke, while the team finished the meet with 35 All-America honors.

New Names To Know

The men's and women's swimming and diving programs boast the nation's No. 1 and No. 5 incoming recruiting classes, respectively. The men's class is headlined by top-ranked Baylor Stanton, No. 5 Tim Wu, No. 7 Jordan Ragland and No. 10 Albert Smelzer, along with transfer additions Michel Arkhangelskiy and diver Justin Halford. The women's class is led by top-ranked Rylee Erisman and No. 9 Kelsey Zhang, with Ava DeAnda, Isabel Wolk and No. 2-ranked diving recruit Madeline Kohel among the class's other notable additions. Collectively, the classes add a wealth of talent and depth to both programs heading into the upcoming season.