Seattle plays host as a group of strength bid contenders try to get themselves into Nationals-ready shape.
March 5, 2026 by Alex Rubin in Preview, Video
Ultiworld’s 2026 college coverage is presented by Spin Ultimate; all opinions are those of the author(s). Find out how Spin can get you, and your team, looking your best this season.
If you haven’t caught your breath from a chaotic Smoky Mountain Invite, inhale quickly: Northwest Challenge offers a West Coast slate just as vital to the national landscape and for compelling TV. Read on for a rundown of what’s at stake in this West Coast showdown.
But first, let’s take a look at the streaming schedule.
How To Watch
We’ve got you covered for all the exciting action this weekend. You will need an Ultiworld Standard or All-Access subscription to be able to watch games from Northwest Challenge. Or get access for your entire team and coaching staff with a 2026 College Team Pack!
The event begins March 6, with Friday night showcase games. Saturday competition begins March 7, LIVE on Ultiworld.com. All broadcasted games will be available on-demand for viewing immediately following the live broadcasts.
Full Broadcast Schedule
Tournament Preview
Victory for Victoria
Raise your hand if you expected #12 Victoria to be the top seed at a major regular season tournament this year! No? Nobody? That’s okay, the Vikes stormed to a title at Santa Barbara Invite earlier this season and lost a competitive bracket game against #2 Oregon at Presidents’ Day Invite. Victoria is currently the fourth-best team in the division per the USA Ultimate rankings and the top-ranked team at this tournament. Victoria relies on the high-volume backfield play of Max Pettenuzzo and Nyle Lebell and will have the schedule advantages of a top seed to see if the team can add another tournament title to its already impressive resume.
However, in their most recent game (for fifth place at Pres Day), #11 Cal Poly SLO beat Victoria. Compared to their dominant runs of the last few years, SLOCORE has suffered through some unexpected losses. SLOCORE has looked like a work in progress this season, taking uncharacteristic losses while integrating a young core, and this tournament is a great place to show their growth. With Anton Orme, Max Gade, and Alex Nelson forming a very formidable top three, finding supportive roles for everyone else on Cal Poly SLO (especially finding the best place for explosive rookie Henry Garcia) will be important. If they have already done that, a tournament championship is certainly in the realm of possibility.
By the Ultiworld Power Rankings, #7 Oregon State is the best team in the tournament field. With the all-around talents of Felix Moren and Ben Thoennes highlighting a roster that runs other teams into the ground with their physical defense and willingness to release any throw that seems like it might be open, the Beavers are looking for a capstone to what has already been a great season. As Oregon State continues to get its feet under itself for a deeper run at Nationals, performing well in the bracket chances should be instructive, and the team has everything it needs to win this tournament.
Showcase Special
Because they are unable to participate in Sunday play, #17 BYU is getting a few games in on Friday night against local teams #8 Western Washington and #24 Washington. Ultimate under the lights is always a treat, and these games should be very competitive. CHI is an athletic team not afraid to put up deep looks to the slightest sliver of opportunity. With Simon Dastrup and Mitchell Burt there to run down towering hucks, BYU can score in a hurry.
Western Washington has an incredible top end of talent with Elijah Diamond, Cedar Hines, and Zoli Ishikawa-Szabo spending a lot of time around the disc. Their run to the quarterfinals of Nationals last year previews the potential for an even deeper run this year. The DIRT small-ball heavy style clashes with BYU’s open field dominance, making their game an interesting case study in tactics and adjustments.
Washington is once again pushing for a return to Nationals. This year, Carter Bayer and Ben Bolan lead a dynamic offense. With Bayer’s very tall frame, the Sundodgers can get out of a tricky situation or even just score from anywhere on the field with the right floaty throw. With a steady offense, Washington has had trouble converting its break chances this season. Improvement in that area will go a long way towards increasing its chances of a May trip to Rockford.
Sea-Tac Special
Several teams are making a distant trip to the Pacific Northwest to compete this weekend. It will be really interesting to see how Northeastern, Virginia, and #21 Minnesota look against predominantly West Coast competition that they don’t usually get to see.
SWxNW Pecking Order
Rounding out the team list, it will be exciting to see how a few teams are developing in relationship to one another as they compete for higher Regionals finishes and the chance at a bid to Nationals. In the Northwest, #16 UBC and #22 Utah are figuring out where they stand in a crowded field amidst Oregon, Western Washington, Victoria, BYU, and Washington. Zion Curtain, in particular, is looking to make a statement.
Likewise in the Southwest, California and UCLA each have reasons to be excited about their seasons so far, and each will want to position themselves as the main challenger to #6 UC Santa Cruz and Cal Poly SLO.
