Record-Breaking 2026 Residency Match Signals Strong Start for Medical Training
The 2026 NRMP Main Residency Match set records: 53,373 applicants registered, 44,344 positions offered, and 41,482 filled across 6,809 program tracks, with 38,354 applicants matching to PGY‑1. U.S. MD seniors posted a 93.5% PGY‑1 match rate, U.S. DO seniors 93.2%, U.S. citizen IMGs 70%, and non‑U.S. citizen IMGs 56.4%. The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) offered 2,581 unfilled positions across 941 programs after the initial matching, up from the prior year, highlighting ongoing demand for residency training and related workforce dynamics.