LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The schedule has been revealed and tickets are available for the 23rd NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic presented by MaxBP. The four-day showcase of collegiate softball features 18 programs from nine conferences and takes place Feb 5-8 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.
Highlighting the field are 2025 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) participants Oregon and Tennessee and a pair of Super Regional programs in Clemson and Liberty, along with Regional finalists Auburn and Southeastern Louisiana. In all, 15 of the 18 programs participated in their conference tournaments with the aforementioned Tigers and Flames, along with Southeastern Louisiana captured their respective tourney titles.
Complete Schedule (PDF) | Purchase Tickets
| Tournament Central
Tickets are available for purchase through the City of Clearwater, Fla. Please note ticket prices will include tax and an additional third-party fee during the purchasing process.
All games will be streamed live (free) on GameChanger’s App with contests on fields 8 and 9 featuring a dedicated broadcast team and multi-camera views. GameChanger, an NFCA Official Sponsor, is also the official streaming provider of the Division I Leadoff. Head over to the NFCA’s tournament central page for more information about the livestreams.
First pitches take place on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET with two high-quality matchups, pitting Clemson against Southeastern Louisiana and Tennessee versus BYU. Over the final three days, there are several more marquee contests on the docket, including a Super Regional rematch between Oregon and Liberty, along with the Ducks taking on fellow WCWS participant Tennessee and Clemson facing off against regional finalist Auburn. Additionally, North Carolina Central, a 2022 participant, and Tennessee State square off in the tournament’s annual HBCU clash.
Prior to the opening games on Feb. 5, Major League Baseball, an Official Sponsor of the NFCA, will host its PLAY BALL event for the fourth consecutive year. PLAY BALL is MLB’s signature youth engagement activity that is featured in events all around the United States and Canada. More information on the program, as well as future event updates, can be found at www.PlayBall.org. The PLAY BALL initiative is baseball’s global effort to encourage young people and communities to engage in baseball- or softball-related activities, including formal leagues, special events and casual forms of play. PLAY BALL events have become MLB’s signature youth engagement activity during the professional and amateur baseball and softball calendar, especially on key dates throughout MLB’s Championship Season and through the World Series. PLAY BALL events demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for physical activity, fun with friends and learning how to play the sport at its most basic levels. PLAY BALL also serves as the League’s youth umbrella in which all associated programs and events derive from the initiative’s consistent, simple message: However You Play Ball, PLAY BALL! PlayBall.org is the PLAY BALL initiative’s online home and is accessible via MLB.com.
In 2025, Kentucky collected its first-ever Leadoff title. The Wildcats posted a 4-1 record and registered a run differential of 28 to break a tie with multiple one-loss teams. They were the fourth straight Southeastern Conference school to win the tournament.
This marks the eighth tournament in Clearwater (2012-14, 2020, 2023-26). 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.
2026 participating teams: Auburn • Boston College • BYU • Clemson • Eastern Kentucky • Liberty • Longwood • Michigan State • Missouri • North Carolina Central • Notre Dame • Oregon • Penn State • Pittsburgh • Rutgers • Southeastern Louisiana • Tennessee • Tennessee State
Division I Leadoff Classic champions
2025 – Kentucky ; 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!
