The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship marks the 67th edition of America’s premier collegiate postseason tournament, bringing together 48 elite programs in a high-stakes knockout battle for national glory.
With the defending champions entering from the previous season and a field of at-large and automatic qualifiers spanning every region, this year’s showdown promises riveting match-ups, breakout stars, and unforgettable finishes.
As the NCAA tournament progresses from the opening rounds in late November toward the culminating College Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park in December, anticipation and momentum are building like never before in NCAA men’s soccer.
2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship tournament format and Schedule
The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship features a 48-team single-elimination format comprising:
- 22 automatic conference championship bids
- 26 at-large bids selected by the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Committee
- 16 top seeds receive first-round byes, advancing directly to the second round
Tournament Timeline (November-December 2025)
The championship unfolds across the following stages-
| Round | Date | Format | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection Show | November 17, 2025 | Bracket announcement | NCAA.com |
| First Round | November 20, 2025 | 16 single-elimination games | Campus sites |
| Second Round | November 23, 2025 | 16 single-elimination games | Campus sites |
| Third Round | November 29-30, 2025 | 8 single-elimination games | Campus sites |
| Quarterfinals | December 5-6, 2025 | 4 single-elimination games | Campus sites |
| College Cup (Semifinals) | December 12, 2025 | 2 semifinal games | WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC |
| National Championship | December 15, 2025 | Final match | WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC |
Key Details about the 2025 Tournament
22 Automatic Conference Bids
Teams earning automatic qualification by winning their conference tournaments or regular-season titles include representatives from major conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big East, American Athletic) as well as mid-major and smaller-conference champions.
The full bracket with all 48 teams will be announced on Monday, November 17, during the official selection show.
Championship Venue
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, hosts the College Cup finals on December 12 and 15. This premier soccer-specific venue features First Horizon Stadium with a 10,000-seat capacity and has been selected to host the championship semifinals and final for the second consecutive year.
Notable Programs
- Vermont (defending champion): Completing their Cinderella story with their first-ever national title in 2024
- Marshall: Runners-up in 2024, seeking redemption and potential second championship since 2020
- Ohio State: One of the tournament favorites, looking to improve on their 2024 quarterfinal exit
- Other traditional powerhouses, including Wake Forest, Indiana, Stanford, and Clemson vying for titles
What’s New in 2025
This year’s tournament comes with a much-improved schedule, giving players more rest days between rounds. Early matches have moved from the usual Thursday and Sunday slots to Friday and Tuesday, allowing for quicker recovery and better-quality games.
How to watch the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship tournament
The full 48-team interactive bracket and comprehensive tournament information will be available on NCAA.com following the November 17 selection show.
Fans can track live scores, results, and bracket updates throughout November and December as teams compete on the road to the championship in Cary, North Carolina