Men's Water Polo

Three Teams Take Center Stage on Overnght at Triton Invitational

2026 Composite Schedule | 2026 Triton Invitational Schedule | Watch on Overnght.com

The 2026 Big West men's water polo season begins with a national showcase this weekend as UC San Diego hosts the 14-team Triton Invitational from Friday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. 30, at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, Calif.

Through The Big West's partnership with Overnght, a live streaming and digital content platform focused on Olympic and emerging sports, every match of the three-day tournament will stream live on the Overnght platform and will be available on demand following the event. Fans can visit Overnght.com to watch and learn more about subscription options.

The agreement with Overnght was designed to bring fans closer to two of UC San Diego's premier early-season water polo events. Coverage begins with this weekend's men's tournament and will continue with the 2027 Triton Invitational women's water polo tournament in mid-January.

The Big West will be represented by three nationally ranked programs in the 2026 men's field, with No. 7 Long Beach State and No. 15 UC Santa Barbara joining the host and No. 12 UC San Diego. The trio will play 18 matches over the weekend, opening a new season against a field that includes several of the nation's top programs.

Long Beach State enters the season as the three-time Big West preseason favorite after earning 24 points and four first-place votes in the league's coaches' poll. The Beach returns two-time reigning Big West Player of the Year Gabi Acosta, who led the conference with 68 goals last season, along with preseason selection Corbin Stanley.

UC San Diego was picked to finish tied for third and collected one first-place vote after a 21-win campaign in 2025. Preseason selections Landon Akerstrom and Alex Hegeman headline the Tritons as the host prepares for six contests, including matchups against nationally ranked California and Pepperdine.

UC Santa Barbara rounds out the conference contingent after finishing second in the 2025 Big West standings. The No. 15 Gauchos are represented on the preseason team by Charlie Johnson, the reigning Big West Freshman of the Year after totaling 70 points on 44 goals and 26 assists last season.


Friday, Aug. 28

  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. Bucknell – 9:30 a.m.
  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. McKendree – 10:50 a.m.
  • No. 15 UC Santa Barbara vs. No. 20 Saint Mary's – 12:10 p.m.
  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. Mercyhurst – 1:30 p.m.
  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. Bucknell – 2:50 p.m.
  • No. 15 UC Santa Barbara vs. McKendree – 4:10 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 29

  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. Mercyhurst – 8:30 a.m.
  • No. 4 California vs. No. 15 UC Santa Barbara – 10:30 a.m.
  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. La Verne – 10:40 a.m.
  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. No. 20 Saint Mary's – 1:20 p.m.
  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. No. 4 California – 2:40 p.m.
  • No. 15 UC Santa Barbara vs. Occidental – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 30

  • No. 15 UC Santa Barbara vs. Mercyhurst – 8:00 a.m.
  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. No. 8 Pepperdine – 10:40 a.m.
  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. McKendree – 12:00 p.m.
  • No. 2 USC vs. No. 15 UC Santa Barbara – 1:20 p.m.
  • No. 7 Long Beach State vs. La Verne – 1:20 p.m.
  • No. 12 UC San Diego vs. No. 8 Pepperdine – 4:00 p.m.

The full tournament schedule and ticket details are available through UCSDTritons.ccom