SEC announces format for Fall 2020 soccer season, kicking off September 18

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southeastern Conference has established new start dates and formats for the SEC’s fall sports, including soccer.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Thursday that the conference’s 14 member schools are continuing to monitor developments related to COVID-19, while moving forward with fall competition.

The 2020 SEC soccer season will consist of an eight-match, Conference-only regular season over eight weeks of competition beginning September 18, followed by the SEC Championship, November 13-22, in Orange Beach, Alabama. All 14 schools will compete in the SEC Championship with each team guaranteed at least two matches.

SEC soccer teams will participate in spring competition as well, with details of formats contingent on final decisions by the NCAA to conduct spring championships in those sports.

The SEC had previously announced in July that soccer would be postponed through at least August 31.

In July, the SEC ruled that student-athletes in all sports who elect to not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the fall 2020 academic semester because of health and/or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their university and will remain in good standing with their team.

The SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force continues to meet on policies and procedures for the safe return of student-athletes to competition, building on the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines.

SOCCER

• Season runs weekend of September 18-November 8 (eight total weeks)
• Eight (8) regular season matches plus at least two (2) matches at the SEC Tournament
• Regular season includes six (6) divisional opponents and two (2) crossover opponents (4 home/4 away)
• One (1) match per week – play dates will be either Friday, Saturday or Sunday based on campus activities & television.
• Matches may move to Thursday on the fifth weekend of the season for make-up dates.
• 14-team Conference Tournament – Nov. 13-22; each team guaranteed at least two (2) matches