UConn Releases 2026 Athletics Annual Report

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut on Friday released the 2026 annual report for the athletic department.

The report is compiled at the end of each fiscal year.

"Sustaining a championship tradition at the highest level requires immense resources, tremendous dedication and an unwavering work ethic. Our success is not a solo effort. It is built upon a shared commitment," Director of Athletics David Benedict said. "The achievements celebrated in this report are only made possible through the ongoing support of our university leadership, students, faculty and staff, and the State of Connecticut. We are equally grateful to our corporate partners and our loyal donors, season ticket holders and fans, whose generosity fuels our ambition.

"Together, through continued determination and teamwork, we will continue to push boundaries and maintain the greatness that defines UConn Athletics."

UConn Athletics 2026 annual report: Key takeaways

The 2025-26 year was a major year for UConn athletics, both competitively and financially. The department reported a $135.6 million budget, 21 Division I teams, about 600 student-athletes and 466 scholarship equivalencies. UConn teams won 10 BIG EAST championships, and 11 teams competed in NCAA tournament action.

Financial picture

• The athletics budget increased from $109.7 million in FY2025 to $135.6 million in FY2026.
• University support increased only slightly, from $32.3 million to $32.5 million.
• UConn said the increased costs reflect changes in college athletics, including expenses connected to the House v. NCAA settlement and direct institutional NIL payments to athletes.
• UConn added 15 scholarships in FY2026 — two for men's programs and 13 for women's programs.

Donations also reached a new level. Athletics received $52.7 million in commitments in FY2026, up from $51.2 million the previous year and $23.5 million in FY2022. The athletics portion of UConn's "Because of UConn" campaign has a $316 million goal and had raised nearly $233 million, or 73.72%, as of the report's publication.

Economic impact

The report puts UConn Athletics' statewide economic impact at more than $286.9 million, based on FY2025 data.

The department said athletics supports:

• 1,905 jobs
• $115 million in labor income
• $175.1 million in Connecticut GDP
• $13.1 million in state and local tax revenue

On the field and court

The 2025-26 season was particularly successful.

UConn's men's and women's basketball teams both reached the Final Four — the sixth time the school has accomplished that. The men's team made its eighth Final Four and seventh national championship game appearance, while the women's team reached its 25th Final Four.

Other highlights include:

• 10 BIG EAST championships.
• 23 wins over Power Four opponents in football and men's and women's basketball.
• Football finished 9-3 in the regular season and posted consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time.
• Skyler Bell became UConn football's first consensus All-American and was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
• UConn had 11 All-Americans.
• Nineteen student-athletes were drafted or signed professional contracts.
• UConn had athletes selected in the NFL, NBA and WNBA drafts, making it one of only nine schools with players selected in all three 2026 drafts.

The highest national rankings during the season included No. 1 for women's basketball, No. 2 for men's basketball, No. 5 for women's ice hockey, No. 9 for men's ice hockey, No. 11 for field hockey and No. 22 for men's soccer.

Academic performance

UConn student-athletes posted a 3.38 cumulative GPA after the spring 2026 semester.

Nineteen teams had cumulative GPAs above 3.0, while 77% of student-athletes earned at least a 3.0 during the spring semester.

The report also lists:

• 65 New England Scholars
• 23 Babbidge Scholars
• 278 BIG EAST All-Academic Team selections
• 91% Graduation Success Rate
• 991 most recent single-year Academic Progress Rate

Mental health and medical care

UConn reported that 26% of student-athletes accessed clinical mental health services during 2025-26, with 1,412 clinical appointments conducted by licensed mental health professionals.

Three full-time employees are dedicated to athlete mental health, with additional Student Health and Wellness personnel providing case management and psychiatric services.

The sports medicine operation includes 15 athletic trainers, a physical therapist, dietitian, sports nutrition assistants and physicians in primary care, orthopedics, neurology and other specialties.

Television, media and NIL

UConn emphasized the national reach of its athletic programs. The men's basketball team appeared in three of the four most-watched men's college basketball games of the 2025-26 season, averaging 15.29 million viewers across those games.

The women's basketball team had 30 national television appearances — the most of any women's program — and averaged more than 635,000 viewers during the regular season. Its Final Four run drew more than 5.4 million viewers at its peak.

UConn also said it is committed to distributing the full $20.5 million NCAA revenue-sharing cap to student-athletes.

Storrs investment

UConn reports more than $450 million in athletics capital investment over the past decade.

Among the current projects is a major renovation of Gampel Pavilion. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in fall 2026 and includes renovated locker rooms, roof modernization and new grab-and-go concessions. Phase 2 is expected in fall 2027 and will include administrative offices, a student-athlete nutrition training table and additional fan hospitality areas.

A new golf practice facility is also being developed, combining indoor and outdoor training facilities.

Bottom line

The report portrays UConn Athletics as a department that is spending substantially more while increasing its reliance on internally generated resources rather than significantly increasing university support. The $25.9 million jump in the budget came alongside just a $200,000 increase in university support. At the same time, UConn is investing heavily in scholarships, NIL/revenue sharing, facilities and student-athlete services.

That financial expansion is occurring alongside an exceptionally successful athletic year, with both basketball teams reaching the Final Four, 10 BIG EAST championships, strong football results, major television exposure and strong academic performance.

Read the full 2026 UConn Athletics Annual Report 