How To Watch The 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships

The nation’s top elite gymnasts will bring the heat this weekend in the Sonoran Desert. The 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona, and serve as the next step toward the 2026 World Championships and the 2028 LA Olympic Games.

This year’s field features a mixture of fresh faces and trusted veterans.

On the women’s side, defending U.S. champion Hezly Rivera looks to win her second-consecutive U.S. title and hopes to fend off challenges from Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey and World team champions Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong. 2026 U.S. Classic champion Reese Esponda leads the charge of up-and-comers, along with all-around threat Claire Pease and first-year senior Charleigh Bullock.

Defending men’s champion Asher Hong and World champion Brody Malone are notably absent from the men’s field, paving way for the coronation of a new men’s champion. 2024 Olympic medalists Frederick Richard and Stephen Nedoroscik bring star power to the field, along with returning Olympians Yul Moldauer and Shane Wiskus.

While all eyes turn to the national title race, this weekend’s competition serves as a crucial step toward determining the teams for the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

While USA Gymnastics will name the men’s team at the conclusion of competition, the women’s team will be determined at the World Team Selection Event in late September. Nonetheless, the women’s results in Phoenix will dramatically impact the athletes shortlisted for the 2026 World team roster.

With the first night of men’s competition beginning Thursday, here’s how to follow as the action unfolds in Phoenix.

Live event streaming information below. All times converted from MT to ET.

Thursday, August 6
4 – 7 p.m. ET: Junior Men Day 1
10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET: Senior Men Day 1 on NBCSN/Peacock

Friday, August 7
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET: Junior Women Day 1
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET: Senior Women Day 1 on NBCSN/Peacock

Saturday, August 8
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET: Junior Men Day 2
7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET: Senior Men Day 2 on NBCSN/Peacock

Sunday, August 9
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET: Junior Women Day 2
6 – 8 p.m. ET: Senior Women Day 2 on NBCSN/Peacock

This article was originally published on Forbes.com