LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The schedule has been revealed and tickets are available for the 22nd NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic which takes place Feb. 6-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. This four-day showcase of collegiate softball features 17 programs from eight different conferences.
Highlighting the field are 2024 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) participant Duke and a pair of Super Regional programs in Missouri and Tennessee. The Tigers are the defending Leadoff tournament champions. In all, 14 programs competed in their conference tournament a year ago, with a total of eight advancing to the 2024 NCAA Regionals.
Tournament Schedule (PDF) • Purchase Tickets • Tournament Central
Tickets are available for purchase. Please note tax and an additional third-party fee will be incurred during the purchasing process.
Along with the three aforementioned programs, the other five 2024 regional participants in the field are Kentucky, Mississippi State, Morgan State, Northwestern and Penn State with the Northwestern reaching the regional final. Rounding out the field are Bethune-Cookman, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Marshall, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Southern Miss and Texas Tech.
Each team will play a minimum of five games at the 2025 Leadoff over four days.
All games will be streamed live (free) on the GameChanger App with contests on fields 8 and 9 featuring a dedicated broadcast team and a multi-camera view.
There are some tantalizing matchups on the docket during the opening weekend of the NCAA Division I season. It begins with Nebraska versus Tennessee on opening night, featuring the return of two-time All-American Jordy Bahl facing off against the potent offense of Tennessee, along with Texas Tech against Marshall in the Red Raider debut of reigning NFCA Pitcher of the Year and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady.
Those two pitching phenoms may go head-to-head on Feb. 8 when the Huskers and Red Raiders clash. The final day of the tournament highlights a rematch of last year’s Super Regional showdown between Duke and Missouri.
In 2024, Missouri collected the title after it knocked off then-No. 5 Clemson, 4-1, in a winner-take-all matchup. The Tigers (5-0) went undefeated to earn their first Classic title. They also picked up wins over Utah (4-3), NC State (13-0), Liberty (10-1) and South Alabama (6-3).
This marks the seventh consecutive tournament in Clearwater (2012-14, 2020, 2023-25). The first 15 tournaments were held in Columbus, Ga., from 1996 through 2010. Michigan has captured the most Leadoff titles with three, while Louisiana and Washington (won the inaugural in 1996) have each won twice.
2025 participating teams: Bethune-Cookman • Duke • Iowa • Kennesaw State • Kentucky • Marshall • Mississippi State • Missouri • Morgan State • Nebraska • Northwestern • Notre Dame • Penn State • Pitt • Southern Miss • Tennessee • Texas Tech
Division I Leadoff Classic champions
2024 – Missouri; 2023 – Tennessee; 2020 – Mississippi State; 2014 – Hofstra; 2013 – Louisiana; 2012 – DePaul; 2010 – Illinois; 2008 – Michigan; 2007 – Georgia Tech & Michigan; 2005 – Oklahoma; 2004 – LSU; 2003 – UMass; 2002 – Nebraska; 2001 – Stanford; 2000 – Washington; 1999 – Louisiana; 1998 – Michigan; 1997 – South Carolina; 1996 – Washington
*2006 & 2009 tournaments were rained out
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Leadoff Classic tournaments, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to awards, to in-person and virtual events, and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining over 7,000 coaches today!