Sun Devil Lacrosse Unveils 2026 Schedule with Key Home Stretch and Big 12 Showdowns
TEMPE - The 2026 season is taking shape for Arizona State women’s lacrosse, and Head Coach Taryn VanThof has laid out a slate that’s equal parts challenging and opportunity-filled. With 17 games on the docket-including a pivotal seven-game homestand and a mix of fresh faces and familiar foes-this year’s schedule is built to test the Sun Devils from start to finish.
Let’s break it down.
A Familiar Start, Then a Home-Field Marathon
The Sun Devils open their campaign on February 7 with a trip to Eugene to face a former Pac-12 rival in Oregon. It’s a fitting way to kick off the season-on the road, against a team they know well, in a setting that will demand sharp execution right out of the gate.
But after that, ASU settles in at home for the longest homestand of the season, and it’s a big one. From February 15 through March 11, the Sun Devils will host seven straight games in Tempe. That stretch includes matchups against Denver, Lindenwood, Marquette, USC, Niagara, Bucknell, and Akron.
This run isn’t just about home-field advantage-it’s about building momentum. Denver and USC are well-established programs, while Lindenwood, Bucknell, and Akron are all first-time opponents for ASU.
Those new matchups bring some unpredictability, but also opportunity. If the Sun Devils can capitalize on this stretch, they could put themselves in a strong position heading into the heart of the season.
Road Tests and a Return to Conference Play
After the homestand, it’s back on the road for three straight. ASU heads to Georgia to face Mercer on March 14, then makes the cross-country trip to Annapolis to meet Navy on March 17-another first-time matchup. The road swing wraps up with a visit to Stanford on March 21, rekindling another Pac-12 connection.
Then it’s time for Big 12 play to begin, and the Sun Devils aren’t easing into it. They’ll host defending conference champion Florida on March 28 in what could be one of the marquee games of the season. Florida set the standard last year, and ASU will get an early chance to measure themselves against the best.
The Big 12 grind continues with a trip to Cincinnati on April 4, followed by Senior Day in Tempe against UC Davis on April 11-a chance to honor the veterans who’ve helped shape this program.
Closing Strong on the Road
The final stretch of the regular season will be all about resilience. ASU finishes with three straight road games, starting with a non-conference clash at Stony Brook on April 15. That’s followed by a visit to San Diego State on April 18, and the finale comes in Boulder against Colorado on April 25.
These last three games could have major postseason implications, especially with the Big 12 Tournament looming.
Eyes on the Big 12 Tournament
The 2026 Big 12 Lacrosse Tournament, presented by Allstate, is set for April 30 to May 2 at Florida’s Dizney Stadium. Only the top four teams in the regular-season standings will qualify, just like last year. That means every conference game matters-and the Sun Devils know it.
With a balanced schedule that mixes home-heavy stretches, cross-country travel, and high-stakes conference clashes, ASU will need to be sharp, deep, and ready to adapt. But there’s no question this team has the pieces to compete-and if they can find their rhythm early, they could be a real factor come tournament time.
Full 2026 Schedule (Times TBA):
- Feb. 7 - at Oregon (Eugene, Ore.)
- Feb. 15 - vs.
Denver (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Feb. 21 - vs.
Lindenwood (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Feb. 24 - vs.
Marquette (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Feb. 28 - vs.
USC (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Mar. 5 - vs.
Niagara (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Mar. 8 - vs.
Bucknell (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Mar. 11 - vs.
Akron (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Mar. 14 - at Mercer (Macon, Ga.)
- Mar. 17 - at Navy (Annapolis, Md.)
- Mar. 21 - at Stanford (Stanford, Calif.)
- Mar. 28 - vs. Florida (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Apr. 4 - at Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Apr. 11 - vs.
UC Davis (Tempe, Ariz.)
- Apr. 15 - at Stony Brook (Stony Brook, N.Y.)
- Apr. 18 - at SDSU (San Diego, Calif.)
- Apr. 25 - at Colorado (Boulder, Colo.)
The countdown to February is on. Let the 2026 journey begin.