MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced track team has announced its 2026 schedule, highlighted by the Bobcats first ever CCAA Track Championships April 30-May 2.

Head coach Vicente Velarde and the Bobcats will open the season at the Sunbird Invitational in Fresno, Calif., for the fourth consecutive year. The season opener is set for February 21.

The season will continue at the Kim Duyst Invite in Turlock, Calif., on March 2. The meet hosted by Stanislaus State is the closest meet to Merced this season.

UC Merced will travel to Chico for the first of two meets this season on March 14 for the Wildcat Invitational.

West Coast Relays follows in Fresno on March 28, beginning a stretch of four consecutive weeks with a meet.

The Bobcats will then compete at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic in San Francisco April 3-4. Eight of the 12 CCAA teams are scheduled to compete at this event.

 UC Merced returns to Chico for the Chico Invitational April 10-11.

The Bryan Clay Invitational, known as the fastest and largest collegiate meet in the country, is scheduled for April 16-18 in Azusa, Calif.  Standards must be hit to guarantee competition.

UC Merced's first ever CCAA Men's and Women's Track & Field Championships are set to take place April 30-May 2 at Mangrum Track in San Marcos, Calif.

UC Merced, currently in its second year of a three-year transition period, will be fully eligible for NCAA Track Championships in the 2027 season.