On the men's side, defending champion Fairfield was the unanimous No. 1 selection, collecting all 11 first-place votes for a total of 121 points. Iona University was a strong second-place selection, finishing comfortably ahead of the rest of the field with 102 points to solidify its position as Fairfield's top challenger entering the 2026 season. The Gaels' placement underscores the program's continued upward trajectory and establishes them as a key contender in this year's conference race. Sacred Heart University, last season's runner-up, was voted third with 93 points, followed by Siena University in fourth (85 points) and Mount St. Mary's University in fifth (75 points).

In the women's poll, Quinnipiac was chosen as the preseason favorite for the second consecutive year, earning 89 points and eight first-place votes. The Bobcats captured the 2025 MAAC Championship with a team score of 883 (+19), marking the program's sixth conference title overall. Quinnipiac previously won back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017 and claimed three straight titles from 2021 through 2023.

UAlbany was selected second in the women's poll with 79 points and one first-place vote after finishing as the 2025 runner-up. Sacred Heart placed third with 71 points, while Fairfield (60) and Merrimack College (53) rounded out the top five.