2026 Tryouts FAQ

utahwildultimate
Sep 25
8 min read

Updated: Oct 27

Before you register to attend tryouts for the 2026 Utah Wild professional roster, read through this information and list of frequently asked questions!

Skip To: FAQ
Skip To: 2026 Season Expectations

Quick Hits:

When:
- OPEN TRYOUT: Saturday November 1st, 9am-1pm MT
  - Intros and warm ups start promptly at 9am! Check in starts at 8:30am, plan to arrive early enough to spend 5-10 minutes signing in and doing anything else you need prior to the group warm up.
- CLOSED TRYOUT: Saturday November 8th, 1pm-5pm MT
  - This invite-only tryout will be held at IHC Fields in Orem. If invited, you'll receive communication in the week leading up to the tryout.
- IMPORTANT: If you are interested in being considered for the 2026 Wild roster and cannot attend both tryouts, please email info@utahwildultimate.org so we can make accommodations.
Where:
- Nov 1st: Riverside Park, Salt Lake City (outdoors, all grass)
  - Park in one of the 2 gray boxes pictured below. Tryouts will be happening in the blue box.
- Nov 8th: IHC Fields, Orem (outdoors, all grass)
Who:
- This team and tryout is open to all people who play ultimate as defenders of women, or women-matching players. This may include but is not limited to cis women, trans women, non binary people, and gender nonconforming people.
- Players must be 18 by March 1st, 2026 in order to be eligible for a spot on the roster
Cost:
- $50 for adults
- $40 for students
- $30 for youth
Pinnies will not be included in the registration fees this year but will be available at a deeply discounted rate at tryouts for tryout attendees.
Everyone attending tryouts or pursuing a spot virtually are required to pay the fee during registration.
- We do not want finances to be a barrier to entry for any potential tryout player, please select the "Name Your Price" ticket option during registration to choose a price that works for your budget.
Communicable Illnesses:
- All people attending tryouts are expected to monitor for any symptoms of illness (Flu, COVID-19, other) prior to tryouts. If you are experiencing any fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, or un-seasonal allergies you are expected to wear a mask or stay home.
- Attendees should isolate or mask in line with CDC guidelines if they have been in close contact with a positive case of COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who are our coaches? Will I have a chance to get to know them before tryouts?

While we are currently in the process of selecting coaches for the 2026 season, the coaching staff will be selected by late October. They will be present and eager to meet you at tryouts! Updates will be posted here when the coaching staff are decided.

Do I have to attend both days?

It depends.
- All registrants are expected to attend tryouts on Nov 1st.
- Registrants interested in a 2026 roster spot must also be available to attend the closed tryout on Nov 8th, if invited.
- It is acceptable miss a tryout that is pertinent to you if you have a religious, work, or other legitimate exemption.
- Email info@utahwildultimate.org so that we are aware and can make any necessary accommodations. Additionally, note your extenuating circumstances in the tryout registration form.
We highly encourage you attend the tryouts in person if possible! There is no replacement to seeing someone on the field!
Other information that may be requested by the coaches:
- Game Footage: Any previous game footage to help us assess your playing style and skills.
- Ultiworld Articles: If you've been featured in Ultiworld, please share them with us to highlight your achievements and contributions.
- Other: Any other information about you that you feel like we should have when making roster decisions

I am not local to SLC, can I stay at someone's house?

If you are in need of local accommodation, please reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org no later than Sunday Oct 26, 2025 with your travel plans, and we will do our best to find you a place to stay.

I am a parent and will have my kid(s) with me at tryouts, will there be space for them?

Yes! We recognize that many people who are interested in attending tryouts have caregiving responsibilities and are making accommodations for those responsibilities.
We will have a dedicated babysitter on site for both tryouts. If you plan to utilize this service, please make sure you reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org so we can make sure we have enough hands on deck. The Wild will be covering the baseline cost for this service, but tips directly to the babysitter(s) are appreciated if you are able.
There will be shade tents available for children and coparents to keep them out of the sun or rain.
We can set up a private lactation space if required, please list this in your tryout registration!

I am injured, can I still try out?

You are still encouraged to register and will be considered for a spot based on your projected recovery. We prioritize a safe return to play and do not want anyone to sacrifice recovery timelines for tryout attendance. You have an opportunity to tell the coaches about yourself and your injury in the tryout registration form.

Are spectators allowed?

Spectators will be allowed both days under the following conditions:
- It is encouraged that if they are able, each spectator contributes a $5 donation per day to observe and learn from the athletes and coaches at tryouts.
- Spectators are not allowed to socialize with players who are trying out throughout the duration of tryouts.
- Exceptions: Parents of players under 18 as well as co-parents/caregivers of children of players at tryouts are not expected to donate and may interact with their family member as needed.

What are you looking for in a Utah Wild player?

Someone that values promoting ultimate for people of all genders and the progressive mission of the Wild and WUL.
People who are committed. Given the nature of the season with just 6-8 games we need people that will prioritize attendance to weekly practices, practice weekends, and other team events.
Flexible and experienced players - there won't be a lot of time to build chemistry. Players who can work within many systems and are easily coachable are desirable. We are looking for people willing and able to be team players.

What if I don't live in Utah?

You will still be considered for a spot on the roster. If a player is good enough to make the team they will be given a spot.
Players from outside of Utah are required to participate in their local pod practices every week.
Based on the team makeup from pervious seasons, we can anticipate out-of-state pod practices to be hosted in Boise and Missoula. Proximity to one of these cities, or any other out-of-state city is not required to be considered for the Utah Wild roster.

Are players paid?

Yep! Check out the breakdown at the bottom of this page under Season Expectations.

Do you offer feedback from tryouts?

Our tryout committee will have many people to watch and evaluate over the weekend. They have been encouraged to take notes in order to provide feedback but we cannot guarantee that every person will have detailed feedback provided to them. If you are interested in feedback after the tryout feel free to reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org and we will do our best to gather feedback from the committee.
If you have requested feedback in your tryout form, we’ll make note to send feedback to you when we notify you of the results of the tryout. If you would like feedback after the tryout, please reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org and we can provide it at that time.

When will we hear whether we have made the team?

Players should hear no later than midnight on Wednesday, November 12th, whether they are being offered a spot on our roster or as a practice player. All players must accept or reject their spot within 48 hours of being offered.

How many late night practices will there be?

Likely many :(
Indoor spaces are unfortunately more competitive than ever. Finding indoor field availability is very challenging, more so during “normal” hours. Be prepared for potential two-a-days with a couple two hour block practices in one day, or late night practices on practice weekends.
Utah players can expect the following for January, February, and March practices. April and May will be outdoors at a more "normal" hour:
- Tuesdays (time TBD) at Spence Eccles Fieldhouse

What indoor facilities do we use for practices?

Spence Eccles Fieldhouse in SLC
Zion's Bank Turf in Herriman
Sports City in Draper
Assorted gyms or outdoor fields as needed

2026 Season Expectations

What does it look like to be offered a spot on the 2026 Utah Wild?

At this date, we have limited information on the 2026 WUL game schedule and format. Below are the expectations as we currently know them, this page will be updated as we learn more.

We currently anticipate a roster size of up to 30 players. We will not designate "practice players" this year. Exact numbers will be based on the skill exhibited at tryouts and the final tryout pool.
- Note: Game day and travel rosters will be approximately 20 players. Players will be given ample warning on their status for a game to arrange travel. Some players may be designated early on as attending every game by coaches, others may hear on a game to game basis.
Our season will run from November to early June, and will consist of the following events (subject to change). All players, both in-state and out-of-state, will be held to the same expectations.
- Virtual team kick-off meeting(s) in November and December: will cover expectations of being a player (on + off the field) and introduce internal Utah Wild systems (such as how to get reimbursed).
- Virtual team coaching session(s) in December: will cover more on-field topics, run by coaches.
- 3-4 team practice weekends in the pre-season. Expect to be in Utah from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon (~4pm) on each of these weekends (tentative):
  - Weekend 1
    - Jan 31: 8pm - midnight (Spence Eccles)
    - Feb 1: time tbd (Crimson Field, SLC)
  - Weekend 2
    - Feb 21: 2pm - 6pm (Spence Eccles)
    - Feb 22: time tbd (Crimson Field, SLC)
  - Weekend 3
    - Mar 14: 1pm-4pm (Crimson Field, SLC)
    - Mar 15: time tbd (Lakeside Turf, Orem)
- 3-4 home games in SLC, UT and 3-4 away games from March - May for 6-8 total regular season games
  - Subject to change with WUL scheduling
Opening weekend: mid-March (pending)
Final regular season weekend: mid-May (pending)
- Home game weekends will also have practices, clinics, or other events that will be required - expect to be in SLC from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon (~4pm) on each of these weekends.
- Game rosters will be a subset of the rostered players based on availability and performance selected at the discretion of the coaching staff no later than four weeks in advance of a game.
- (If we qualify) WUL Championship Weekend will be on the first or second weekend of June 2026.
- Off-field:
  - Fitness and lifting workouts outside of practice.
  - Learning team playbook and WUL rules
  - Participation in community outreach events such as fundraisers, clinics, volunteering, etc.
  - Participation in WUL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training modules
Cost of the Season
- The goal of the Wild is cover as many costs as possible for players. Each rostered player will receive the following financial accommodations:
  - A $25 baseline salary for the season + $10 for each game played + a portion of home game ticket sales
  - Travel
    - All hotels and housing accommodations covered
    - All rental car and gas reimbursement covered for out of state travel
    - Minimum 60% of flight costs reimbursed/covered, ideally 100%
    - Overall, this has come out to 85%+ of total travel costs covered by Wild in past years
  - All jerseys (light, dark, shorts) covered, additional roster-specific merchandise such as hoodies or pinnies.
  - There will be no team dues
- We do not want finances to be a barrier to entry! Please let us know if you feel limited by the financial burden of playing or trying out and we can make accommodations!