VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova women's water polo team released its 2026 schedule Thursday. 

The 'Cats non-conference slate will take the team to five invitationals across the country as well as hosting the Wildcat Invitation.

VU faces a challenging array of opponents, highlighted by Wagner, Harvard and McKendree, all of which made last season's NCAA tournament. 

Contrary to previous seasons, MAAC teams will only play eight regular season conference games in 2026, a change from playing 12 in the previous two seasons.

After an exhibition game at home against conference-mate and Big 5 opponent, La Salle, Jan. 17, the Wildcats open their season at the Bruno Invite hosted by Brown in Providence, R.I.

Games against Chapman and Brown Jan. 24 open the season for the 'Cats. VU closes the Bruno Invite Jan. 25, playing Indiana and Salem.

Villanova then heads east to Princeton Feb. 1 at the Tigers' hosted invitational against an opponent to be announced.

The Wildcats come home for the first time Feb. 6 to Feb. 8, hosting the Wildcat Invite and facing California Baptist, Gannon, Iona and Harvard. 

A trip to the Bucknell Invite in Lewisburg, Pa. follows Feb. 14-15. The 'Cats will take on Occidental, St. Francis Brooklyn and Siena in central Pennsylvania. 

VU returns home Feb. 19, facing Princeton before heading to Cambridge, Mass. Feb. 28 for the Harvard Invite. 

The 'Cats close out their non-conference slate with a west coast starting against CSU Northridge March 3 and closing March 6 at the Pomona Pitzer-hosted Convergence Tournament. 

MAAC play opens for Villanova with a trip across town to La Salle March 11. 

The Wildcats come home for the first and only time for conference play March 14-15, facing Wagner and LIU. 

Villanova then goes on a roadtrip to Marist, taking on the Red Foxes and VMI March 21-22. 

VU ends its regular season conference schedule with a trip to Lexington, Va. to play Siena, Iona and Mount St. Mary's March 28-29 at VMI.