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The National Baseball Congress World Series returns for its 92nd edition Thursday, bringing 16 summer collegiate and amateur baseball teams to Wichita for 10 days of competition.
The tournament begins with pool play at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium and concludes with the championship game Aug. 1 at Equity Bank Park. The schedule also includes the return of Baseball ’Round the Clock, two free-admission days and nightly promotions.
Here is what fans should know before attending:
When does the NBC World Series begin?
The tournament opens Thursday, July 23, with two games at Eck Stadium. The defending champion Hutchinson Monarchs face Lonestar Baseball Club at 6 p.m., followed by the Seattle Cheney Studs against the Austin Gold Sox at 8:30 p.m.
Pool play continues through Tuesday. The tournament shifts to bracket play Wednesday, with the semifinals scheduled for July 31.
The championship game will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at Equity Bank Park in downtown Wichita.
Gates open one hour before the first game each day.
How much do tickets cost?
Single-day tickets begin at $14. A ticket provides admission to every game played that day.
Seniors, military members and students can receive a 25% discount when purchasing tickets in person. Children 2 and younger are admitted free.
Tickets can be purchased through the GoShockers.com ticket office. Cash and all major credit cards will be accepted.
Parking is free at Eck Stadium.
Are any free tickets available?
Active-duty and retired military members will receive free admission with a valid ID on Friday, July 24, as part of Military Appreciation Day.
Free general-admission vouchers will also be available on multiple days:
Tuesday, July 28: Vouchers can be picked up in advance at participating Sonic Drive-In locations.
Wednesday, July 29: Vouchers can be picked up at select area Midwest Ford dealerships.
Thursday, July 30: First responders, educators and health care professionals can receive free admission by presenting a work ID or badge at the box office.
Can fans bring food and drinks?
Outside food and sealed nonalcoholic beverages are permitted only on Coleman Hill, the outfield seating area at Eck Stadium. Fans carrying outside food should enter through the right-field gate, and the food must remain in the outfield area.
Coolers are allowed but are subject to inspection. Gas grills also are permitted on Coleman Hill.
Outside alcohol is prohibited.
These policies apply only to games at Eck Stadium, not the championship game at Equity Bank Park.
What is the bag policy?
Permitted items include:
- Clear plastic totes no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches
- Clear purses
- Fanny packs
- Clutches no larger than 5 inches by 8 inches
- Seat cushions
Blankets, pillows and lawn chairs are allowed but must be brought through the outfield gate.
Regular purses, backpacks, camera cases, mesh bags and oversized tote bags are prohibited.
Where can fans watch the games?
Every game will be streamed free on the NBC World Series YouTube channel.
Live statistics will be available through the 2026 NBC World Series page on GameChanger.
Which teams are playing?
The 16-team field includes the Hutchinson Monarchs, who return after winning the 2025 NBC World Series championship.
The Kansas contingent also features the Great Bend Bat Cats, Hays Larks, Junction City Brigade, Liberal BeeJays and Kansas City-based BTL Hornets.
The complete field:
- Alaska Goldpanners
- Austin Gold Sox
- BTL Hornets
- Great Bend Bat Cats
- Hays Larks
- Hutchinson Monarchs
- Junction City Brigade
- Liberal BeeJays
- Lonestar Baseball Club
- Oklahoma Lookouts
- San Diego Stars
- Santa Barbara Foresters
- Seattle Cheney Studs
- Seattle Blackfins
- Tess’s Army
- TPA Texas
How does pool play work?
The 16 teams are divided into four pools of four. Each team plays the other three teams in its pool once from July 23-28.
The top three finishers in each pool advance to the 12-team, single-elimination bracket beginning July 29. Winning a pool carries an important benefit: Each of the four pool champions receives a first-round bye. The second- and third-place teams begin elimination play July 29.
The quarterfinals follow July 30, with the semifinals July 31 and championship game Aug. 1.
The four pools are:
Pool A: Hutchinson Monarchs, Lonestar Baseball Club, Seattle Blackfins and TPA Texas.
Pool B: Austin Gold Sox, Junction City Brigade, Oklahoma Lookouts and Seattle Cheney Studs.
Pool C: BTL Hornets, Great Bend Bat Cats, Liberal BeeJays and Santa Barbara Foresters.
Pool D: Alaska Goldpanners, Hays Larks, San Diego Stars and Tess’s Army.
When is Baseball ’Round the Clock?
Baseball ’Round the Clock begins Saturday, July 25, and extends into Sunday, July 26.
The stretch includes tournament games at midnight, 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday. Cowtown’s Vintage Base Ball teams will play an exhibition at 10 a.m., followed by three more NBC games at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
In all, the event will feature 11 consecutive games or exhibitions over approximately 33 hours.
What other promotions are scheduled?
The first 1,000 fans at Thursday’s opening-night doubleheader will receive an Ozzie Smith bobblehead depicting the Hall of Fame shortstop performing his signature backflip.
Former NBC players and coaches will be recognized during Alumni Weekend on July 24-25.
The July 31 semifinal session will include Aviation Night, featuring a scheduled Stearman flyover, recognition of Wichita World War II worker Connie Palacioz and Miracle League Night.
The Aug. 1 championship game will include Little League Night and a fireworks show after the game.
Complete NBC World Series schedule
Thursday, July 23
6 p.m. - Lonestar Baseball Club vs. Hutchinson Monarchs
8:30 p.m. - Seattle Cheney Studs vs. Austin Gold Sox
Friday, July 24
Noon - Seattle Blackfins vs. TPA Texas
3 p.m. - BTL Hornets vs. Liberal BeeJays
6 p.m. - Great Bend Bat Cats vs. Santa Barbara Foresters
8:30 p.m. - Oklahoma Lookouts vs. Junction City Brigade
Saturday, July 25
Noon - San Diego Stars vs. Hays Larks
3 p.m. - Alaska Goldpanners vs. Tess’s Army
6 p.m. - TPA Texas vs. Hutchinson Monarchs
9 p.m. - Lonestar Baseball Club vs. Seattle Blackfins
Sunday, July 26
Midnight - BTL Hornets vs. Santa Barbara Foresters
3 a.m. - Junction City Brigade vs. Seattle Cheney Studs
6 a.m. - Great Bend Bat Cats vs. Liberal BeeJays
10 a.m. - Cowtown Vintage Base Ball exhibition
Noon - Oklahoma Lookouts vs. Austin Gold Sox
3 p.m. - Hays Larks vs. Tess’s Army
6 p.m. - San Diego Stars vs. Alaska Goldpanners
Monday, July 27
Noon - Austin Gold Sox vs. Junction City Brigade
3 p.m. - TPA Texas vs. Lonestar Baseball Club
6 p.m. - Seattle Cheney Studs vs. Oklahoma Lookouts
8:30 p.m. - Seattle Blackfins vs. Hutchinson Monarchs
Tuesday, July 28
Noon - Tess’s Army vs. San Diego Stars
3 p.m. - Great Bend Bat Cats vs. BTL Hornets
6 p.m. - Alaska Goldpanners vs. Hays Larks
8:30 p.m. - Liberal BeeJays vs. Santa Barbara Foresters
Wednesday, July 29
Noon - Bracket play
3 p.m. - Bracket play
6 p.m. - Bracket play
8:30 p.m. - Bracket play
Thursday, July 30
Noon - Bracket play
3 p.m. - Bracket play
6 p.m. - Bracket play
8:30 p.m. - Bracket play
Friday, July 31
6 p.m. - Semifinal
8:30 p.m. - Semifinal
Saturday, Aug. 1
7 p.m. - Championship game at Equity Bank Park
