CHARLOTTE, NC (October 16, 2025) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) celebrates the NCAA’s announcement that Division II team championships will be livestreamed free of charge beginning in 2025–26. The initiative, powered by Hudl and accessible through the NCAA Championships Pass app and NCAA.com, will provide unprecedented access and visibility for student athletes, institutions, and fans across Division II.
As one of the nation’s most historic and competitive conferences in Division II, the CIAA applauds this milestone in expanding exposure for its student athletes and championship sports.
Enhanced Coverage for CIAA-Sponsored Sports
Through this initiative, fans will now be able to follow every round of NCAA postseason competition in several CIAA-sponsored sports featured in the NCAA Division II streaming plan, including:
This expansion means that when CIAA champions advance to NCAA postseason play, their journeys will be available for fans nationwide to watch live and free of charge. Alumni, families, and supporters of CIAA institutions will be able to experience every serve, shot, and swing, further connecting the conference’s passionate fan base to its student athletes.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with the CIAA’s mission to amplify the stories and achievements of our student athletes,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “Visibility matters. By bringing Division II competition to more screens and more communities, the NCAA is ensuring our athletes receive the recognition they deserve.”
Strengthening the Division II Student-Athlete Experience
The CIAA commends the NCAA for its continued investment in the Division II experience. By enhancing the accessibility and presentation of national championship events, this initiative elevates the student-athlete platform and strengthens the connection between conferences, institutions, and fans.
As the first and longest-running African American athletic conference in the nation, the CIAA remains committed to advancing opportunities for its member institutions and showcasing the excellence of its student athletes on the national stage.
Fans can watch NCAA Division II championships on the NCAA Championships Pass app and at NCAA.com beginning next academic year.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.