Systems and methods are described for prioritizing channel access to uplink (UL) multi-user (MU) data capable active stations (STAs) by dynamically adapting a MU enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameter set to provide for increased access to the channel by the UL MU data capable active STAs when the total number of active STAs associated to the AP less the number of active UL MU capable STAs exceeds the number of active UL MU data capable STAs; and by dynamically adapting the MU EDCA parameter set to equal a legacy EDCA parameter set to reduce collisions between the UL MU data capable STAs when the number of active UL MU data capable STAs exceeds or equals the total number of active STAs associated to the AP less the number of active UL MU data capable STAs.