Here are the biggest changes -- and possible future changes -- to competition in 2025.
January 29, 2025 by Charlie Eisenhood in News
Every winter, USA Ultimate hosts competition working group meetings to discuss the state of each competitive division and possible changes for the upcoming season. The working groups are comprised of USAU staff, organizers, key volunteers, and, in some cases, players in the division. USAU publishes a summary of the discussion from each working group.
Here’s a look at the key takeaways from each division!
Big Picture
– USAU is discussing the implementation of a probabilistic bid allocation for club and college ultimate starting in 2026.
– The rules around video review are being discussed and could change. USAU’s current rules are stricter than WFDF’s.
Club
– Club sections with more than 16 teams have been reviewed and redrawn, and sections with two or fewer teams may be combined for Regionals. The goal is to “provide quality sectional events and promote fair competition formats.”
– Woman-matching players will have more roster flexibility, allowing players to move between teams until July 30th, right before US Open. The man-matching player deadline is June 25th. USAU is also considering an implementation of the “academy model,” which would allow players to move up and down between an A-team and a developmental team with more roster flexibility.
– A swiss draw format may be used for early season Triple Crown Tour events, which would create more power-balanced matchups and opponent diversity.
– Mixed Division players will be required to signal their gender match if requested by the opponent on the line.
– USAU is considering a larger Mixed Division Nationals format.
College
– USAU plans to restructure the Developmental Division in 2026 “as the system in place isn’t meeting the needs of all and inhibits the growth of the entire division.”
– The organization may adjust the Division III enrollment cutoff (currently 7500 students) for future seasons.
Youth
– USAU released public results from the recent youth survey, which polled players, coaches, parents, and organizers on a variety of topics focused on youth club ultimate.
– Starting in 2026, YCC divisions with more than 24 teams will be split into two separate Divisions (DI and DII) to allow more teams to participate. Currently, YCC is at capacity.
– Summer regional event attendance will not be required for YCC teams.
– Ultiworld will be highlighting more charts and data from the youth survey in an upcoming article.
Beach
– Beach Nationals is hoping to host U-20 teams in 2025 (with no effect on college eligibility for high school players).
– Key organizers met with USAU to discuss “resource development, increased competitive opportunities, and promotional strategies for beach-specific events.”
Masters
– The great grandmasters men’s division’s minimum age will move from 50 to 48. The great grandmasters women’s division’s minimum age will move from 47 to 45. This aligns with WFDF’s eligibility rules.
– Controversially, there will be no changes to bid allocations. “Super regionals” will be renamed “super qualifiers” with no format changes.
