Mount Mercy Qualifies for 2026 NAIA Men’s Bowling Championship

The NAIA has announced the 12 teams that will compete at the 2026 NAIA Men's Bowling National Championship, set for March 19–21 at Royal Scot Lanes in Lansing, Mich. Representing the Heart of America Athletic Conference will be automatic qualifier Mount Mercy University. 

The 2026 championship features a new format, with 12 seeded teams divided into two six-team, double-elimination brackets. Teams will compete in mega-match style competition, with the winners of each bracket advancing to the national championship mega-match on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. ET. 

Fans will have expanded viewing options this year. For the first time, every match will air live with lane-by-lane coverage on BowlTV. A centralized broadcast will also simulcast on the Urban Edge Network and the NAIA Network.  

Mount Mercy earned the Heart's automatic berth after capturing the 2026 Heart of America Men's Bowling Conference Championship — the first conference title in program history. The Mustangs will now look to carry that momentum to Lansing as they compete for the NAIA Red Banner later this month.