LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Highlighted by five contests on MLB Network, the NFCA, in partnership with GameChanger, revealed its broadcast and streaming schedule for the 2026 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic presented by MaxBP, Feb. 5-8 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. Softball fans from around the world will be able to watch every pitch for free during this 18-team tournament which kicks off the 2026 Division I softball season.
“For softball coaches, student-athletes, and fans there is nothing more exciting than hearing the words 'Play Ball!' at the start of the season," said NFCA CEO Carol Bruggeman. "Thanks to our Official Sponsors GameChanger and MLB, the entire softball community can enjoy every pitch of the 18-team prestigious 2026 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Tournament presented by Max BP for FREE. GameChanger is a trusted livestream provider in the softball space and is dedicated to providing a first-class experience to our viewers. Additionally, we feel honored to have a record number of games broadcast on MLB Network as we continue our special partnership for the third consecutive year. This opportunity will showcase our exciting sport and expand our reach to a broader audience.”
As the sole streaming provider, NFCA Official Sponsor GameChanger will run video livestreams for all 46 contests (six fields), through the GameChanger app (free), which you can watch on your phone, tablet and desktop. Click on the Tournament Central link below for all team links and directions on how to watch.
Tournament Central | Schedule (PDF) | Download GameChanger App
| Purchase Tickets
“College softball continues to grow because the play is elite and the community is all-in,” said Sameer Ahuja, President of GameChanger. “We’re excited to partner with the NFCA and MLB Network to expand the tournament’s reach and make it easy for families and fans to follow every game. Whether they’re in Clearwater, watching from home, or tuning in from across the country, we want people to feel connected to the teams, the athletes, and the moments that make this event such a powerful start to the season.”
Back for a third year, NFCA Official Sponsor Major League Baseball will team up with GameChanger and the Association to broadcast five games, Saturday, Feb 7 and Sunday, Feb. 8, on MLB Network.
Missouri takes on Super Regional participant Liberty in the Network’s opener at 1:00 p.m., followed by Regional finalist Auburn vs. Super Regional participant Clemson at 4:00 p.m. It concludes at 7:00 p.m. with Tennessee vs. Oregon, both of which reached the 2025 Women’s College World Series. The Ducks picked up one win in Oklahoma City, while the Lady Vols reached the national semifinals.
The first two contests will be live on MLB Network with the Tennessee/Oregon matchup starting at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on tape delay. Fans can still watch it live on the GameChanger app.
There is more live action Sunday on MLB Network as Southeastern Louisiana, a regional finalist the last two seasons, battles Oregon at 10 am ET, followed by Missouri and South Alabama at 1 p.m. ET.
“Building on the continued success of carrying live college softball on MLB Network for the third consecutive year, we’re excited to once again partner with the NFCA and GameChanger in 2026,” said Marc Caiafa, MLB Network’s Senior Vice President of Production. “With softball growing at all levels, the Division I Leadoff Classic continues to be one of the premier opening-weekend events in college softball, making for an exciting opportunity to nationally showcase elite collegiate matchups with high-level coverage on our air.”
To watch the contests on MLB Network, viewers can visit www.mlbnetwork.com for their local channel listings or to subscribe to one of its Direct-To-Consumer offerings.
Please note that viewers who are unable to access the broadcasts on MLB Network, can still watch the games on the GameChanger app for free.
In addition to MLB Network broadcasts, contests on Fields 8 & 9 will also feature a multi-camera broadcast with play-by-play and analysis. Those contests are listed below:
Friday, Feb. 6
5:00 p.m. – Michigan State v BYU (Field 8) / Auburn v Notre Dame (Field 9)
8:00 p.m. – Notre Dame v BYU (Field 8) / Auburn v Michigan State (Field 9)
Saturday, Feb. 7
1:00 p.m. – Boston College v Tennessee (Field 9)
4:00 p.m. – Oregon v Liberty (Field 9)
7:00 p.m. – Pittsburgh v Auburn (Field 9)
Sunday, Feb. 8
10:00 a.m. – North Carolina Central v South Alabama (Field 9)
Games on Fields 1 through 4 will feature a single camera live feed through the GameChanger app. Follow all our socials (@nfcaorg) for tournament updates and information.
The four-day showcase of collegiate softball features 18 programs from nine conferences. 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 Clemson Tigers and Flames, along with Southeastern Louisiana captured their respective tourney titles.
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 • South Alabama • Southeastern Louisiana • Tennessee
Complete Schedule (PDF)
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
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its competitive Leadoff Classics, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from a highly-regarded Awards Program to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of 7,000 coaches today!
