OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University was notified that its bid to host a NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament was accepted.
 
The Stars are one of 10 Opening Round sites in six states: Oklahoma, Oregon and Kentucky with two each, along with one each in Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
 
Forty-eight teams will compete in Opening Rounds with eight sites hosting five teams each and two hosting four teams. Which teams are assigned to each site will be announced at the NAIA Selection Show on May 6.
 
Games are May 11-15.
 
Science & Arts of Oklahoma, William Carey, Southern Oregon, Oregon Tech, Southeastern (Florida), Central Methodist, Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson and Mobile were also selected.
 
The Stars hosted and won an Opening Round Tournament last year with Missouri Baptist, William Carey, Houston-Victoria, and Morningside visiting Ann Lacy Stadium.
 
Each Opening Round will feature a double-elimination format, with eight sites hosting five-team brackets and two sites hosting four-team brackets. When the dust settles, 10 teams will punch their ticket to South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus for the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series, beginning May 21.
 
Host sites were selected by the NAIA National Office in consultation with the National Selection Committee. Selections were based on a combination of geography, facility quality, and host readiness, with institutions submitting bids by the April 15 deadline.