Here is what you need to know for the 2026 CIAC field hockey
2025 champions:
Darien (L), Branford (M), Immaculate (S)
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Returning GametimeCT All-Staters
First Team: Shannon Bock, Darien. Sr., M; Lily McClay, Ludlowe, Jr., M; Lilly Panuccio, Branford, Sr., G; Jessica Radziunas, Branford, Sr., M Second Team: Leah Larit, Staples, Sr., M; Ellie Meyran, Branford, Jr., F; Cienna McNamara, New Milford, Sr., F; Camryn Santa, Granby Memorial, Sr., F; Zoe Tsounkanelis, Guilford, Sr. F Honorable Mention: Anna Hering, New Canaan, Sr., D/M; Clara Fielden, Wilton, Sr., D/M
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Shepaug Valley at Immaculate, Sept. 9, 4 p.m.: The previous two Class S champions square off to start the season.
Guilford at Hand, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.: Hand or Guilford have won six of the last eight Class M championships.
Ludlowe at Staples, Sept. 28, 4 p.m.:
Staples eliminated Ludlowe from the last two Class L semifinals, last season in a shootout. On paper, two of the top teams in the state.
Darien at Staples, Sept. 30, 4 p.m.:
The two best programs in the state the past three seasons both bring back loads of talent and remains the premier matchup in the sport.
Immaculate at New Milford, Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m.:
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The Class S champion meets the Class M runner-up in a big SWC matchup.
Pomperaug
at Granby Memorial, Oct. 16, 4 p.m.: Midseason cross-conference matchup sure to aid both teams as the CIAC tournaments near.
Wilton at Glastonbury, Oct. 17, 2 p.m.: These two first met in 2021 in a game that ended tied 2-2. Wilton has won every matchup since, including in the 2024 Class L quarterfinals.
Canton at East Lyme, Oct. 20, 5 p.m.:
Each team only lost two games last season and should again be top contenders in their respective classes.
North Branford at Branford, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.: Border rivals from different conferences with perennial field hockey state title contenders. What more could you ask for?
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Wilton at New Canaan, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Wilton has not won a CIAC title since 2015. New Canaan last won in 2021, beating Wilton in the Class L final.
Class L runs through the FCIAC, more specifically through either Staples or Darien, who have won 11 of the last 13 championships with the other two going to New Canaan in 2021 and Wilton in 2015. Glastonbury, from the CCC, was co-champion with Darien in 2014. Darien and Staples both bring back Division I college bound players but Darien will be missing one key piece with GametimeCT All-State First Team pick Adriana Gromelski opting to play soccer this fall. New Canaan and Ludlowe both have solid groups who could knock off one of the top two in Class L.
The last team outside the FCIAC to win a Class L title outright was Cheshire in 2011.
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The big story in Class M is Wilton moving down after being a Class L semifinalist every year since 2021, reaching finals in 2022 and 2023. The Warriors will have to contend with defending champion Branford as well as top contenders Guilford, Hand and New Milford.
Class M has belonged to the SCC. Branford’s title last year extended the conference’s championship streak to eight seasons, four of which have been won by Guilford. Hand won in 2017 and 2023 with Branford taking home the title in 2022 and last season.
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Playdown round: Thursday, Nov. 5
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First round:Tuesday, Nov. 10, Wednesday, Nov. 11
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Quarterfinals: Thursday, Nov. 12, Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14
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Semifinals: Tuesday, Nov. 17
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Championships:
Saturday, Nov. 21, at Wethersfield High School
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This article originally published at What you need to know about 2026 CIAC field hockey: Key dates, teams and games.
