Arizona Wildcats softball has unveiled its 2026 schedule, featuring marquee matchups that include Oklahoma, Texas, and LSU. The announcement ends months of speculation and promises an intense season for Wildcats fans.
The schedule comprises eight games against these powerhouse teams, highlighting a competitive slate that tests Arizona’s skills from the outset. The Wildcats will commence practice in early January to prepare for this challenging lineup.
Nonconference and Big 12 Play
The Wildcats’ nonconference schedule features 14 games against eight teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament last season. Among these, five games will pit Arizona against two Women’s College World Series participants. Every nonconference tournament includes at least one postseason team from 2025.
Conference action adds 12 more games against four Big 12 teams that made the NCAA tournament, including one Women’s College World Series contender. Combining all games, Arizona faces five games against two teams from the 2025 championship series and three against a team from the national semifinals.
Early Tournaments and Key Dates
The season kicks off with the Candrea Classic at Hillenbrand Stadium, running from February 5 to 8. Arizona’s debut includes a doubleheader with Southern Utah and a three-game series against Oklahoma from February 6–8. This marks the first of three nonconference series against top-tier teams.
Following that, the Bear Down Fiesta from February 12 to 15 features matchups with Drake, Creighton, Coastal Carolina, and Utah Valley. The Wildcats also play a midweek home game against Nevada on February 17.
Tough Road Trips and Rivalries
Arizona will travel to Stanford for the DeMarini Invitational starting February 19. The weekend includes a doubleheader against Boise State and Stanford, followed by two games against Texas — the defending national champions. Notably, this series features former Arizona outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer now competing for Texas.
Hillenbrand Invitational and Homestand
Returning home, Arizona hosts the Hillenbrand Invitational from February 27 to March 1, with opponents including Long Beach State, Minnesota, and Howard. A seven-game homestand begins later in March with Big 12 series against Arizona State and Baylor, along with a midweek game versus Grand Canyon University.
Closing Nonconference and Conference Highlights
The final three nonconference games occur during a conference bye week with a road series against LSU in Baton Rouge from April 10 to 12. Arizona faces a more challenging Big 12 slate this season, especially with away games at Lubbock and Stillwater against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, plus the addition of Baylor.
Postseason Outlook
The Big 12 Softball Tournament will be held May 7 to 9 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. NCAA Regionals run May 15 to 17, followed by Super Regionals from May 22 to 24. The season concludes with the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park from May 28 to June 5. This schedule sets the stage for a pivotal and demanding year for Wildcats softball.
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