The 2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament takes place from May 19–24, 2026, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The tournament features a new 12-team format: Seeds 5-12 compete in a double-elimination bracket from May 19-21, while the top 4 seeds receive a bye into a single-elimination quarterfinal round starting Friday, May 22. Every game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network (BTN).
2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Schedule
The 2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament runs Tuesday, May 19 through Sunday, May 24 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The new 12-team format combines a double-elimination opening stage (seeds 5–12) with a single-elimination championship stage (seeds 1–4 enter on Friday). All games air on Big Ten Network. All times Central.
Double-Elimination Stage (Seeds 5–12)
| Date | Game | Matchup | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 19 – Opening Round | |||
| Tue, May 19 | 1 | [5] Purdue vs [12] Michigan State | 9:00 AM |
| Tue, May 19 | 2 | [8] Iowa vs [9] Illinois | 1:00 PM |
| Tue, May 19 | 3 | [7] Michigan vs [10] Rutgers | 5:00 PM |
| Tue, May 19 | 4 | [6] Ohio State vs [11] Washington | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, May 20 | |||
| Wed, May 20 | 5 | Loser G1 vs Loser G2 (elimination) | 9:00 AM |
| Wed, May 20 | 6 | Loser G3 vs Loser G4 (elimination) | 1:00 PM |
| Wed, May 20 | 7 | Winner G1 vs Winner G2 → Qualifier 1 | 5:00 PM |
| Wed, May 20 | 8 | Winner G3 vs Winner G4 → Qualifier 2 | 9:00 PM |
| Thursday, May 21 | |||
| Thu, May 21 | 9 | Winner G5 vs Loser G7 → Qualifier 3 | 2:00 PM |
| Thu, May 21 | 10 | Winner G6 vs Loser G8 → Qualifier 4 | 6:00 PM |
Single-Elimination Stage (Top 4 Seeds Enter)
| Date | Game | Matchup | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 22 – Quarterfinals | |||
| Fri, May 22 | 11 | [4] USC vs Qualifier 1 | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, May 22 | 12 | [1] UCLA vs Qualifier 3 | 1:00 PM |
| Fri, May 22 | 13 | [2] Nebraska vs Qualifier 4 | 5:00 PM |
| Fri, May 22 | 14 | [3] Oregon vs Qualifier 2 | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, May 23 – Semifinals | |||
| Sat, May 23 | 15 | Winner G11 vs Winner G12 | 2:00 PM |
| Sat, May 23 | 16 | Winner G13 vs Winner G14 | 6:00 PM |
| Sunday, May 24 – Championship | |||
| Sun, May 24 | 17 | Big Ten Championship Game (Winner G15 vs Winner G16) | 2:00 PM |
Understanding the New 12-Team Tournament Format
Following the expansion to 18 teams (with the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington), Big Ten coaches moved to a hybrid format to ensure a competitive postseason:
- The “Grind” (May 19-21): The teams seeded 5 through 12 play in a high-stakes double-elimination bracket. This phase guarantees these eight teams at least two games in Omaha.
- The “Elite” (May 22-24): The four teams that survive the opening rounds advance to face the Top 4 Seeds (who receive a double-bye) in a single-elimination sprint to the trophy.
- The Stakes: The tournament champion receives the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.
View the 2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Bracket (Image)
Don’t get lost in the new 12-team layout. Our exclusive printable PDF includes the full bracket, game times, and TV channels for the entire week in Omaha.
Big Ten Baseball Resources
- 2026 D1 Baseball Tournament: Master Schedule & CWS Guide
- 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament: 16-Team Bracket
- 2026 SEC Baseball Tournament: Hoover Met Guide
- Detroit Tigers 2026 Schedule & Printable PDF
