The University of Northern Colorado softball team has released its 2026 season schedule, which includes a challenging nonconference lineup, several early-season tournaments, and a full slate of Big Sky Conference games. The team will play multiple home series at Gloria Rodriguez Field in Greeley.
Head coach Dede Pendleton-Helm commented on the upcoming schedule: “We’re excited about the challenge and balance of our 2026 schedule. Opening the season against strong West Coast opponents and competing in quality early tournaments will test us right away and help prepare us for Big Sky play. We’re also looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans at Gloria Rodriguez Field and continuing to build momentum as we move into conference competition and postseason opportunities.”
Northern Colorado will begin its season at the Southern California Tournament from February 6 to 8 in Los Angeles. There, they will compete against teams such as UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, LMU, and UC Riverside at Easton Stadium and Smith Field.
The Bears’ nonconference games continue with participation in the Grand Canyon Invite from February 13 to 15 in Phoenix, Arizona. They are scheduled to play South Dakota, Grand Canyon, and Harvard over three days. The team then travels to San Antonio for the UTSA Tournament from February 20 to 22 with games against Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, UMass Lowell, along with other teams yet to be determined.
Home action begins for Northern Colorado with the Colorado Classic DI Tournament from February 27 through March 1. Games will be split between Gloria Rodriguez Field in Greeley and Ram Field in Fort Collins, featuring matchups against Creighton and Colorado State.
The Bears will host South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Drake during the Colorado Classic Tournament from March 6 to 8 before traveling west for a mid-March series at Pacific in Stockton, California. A home series against Saint Mary’s starts March 20.
Big Sky Conference competition opens March 27 when Northern Colorado hosts Sacramento State. The following month includes road trips to Montana and Portland State while Idaho State and Weber State visit Greeley later in conference play. The regular-season home schedule concludes April 24-25 against Weber State.
The Big Sky Conference Championship is set for May 4-7 at Miller Ranch Stadium in Pocatello, Idaho. NCAA Regionals begin May 14; Super Regionals follow on May 21; while the Women’s College World Series takes place from May 28 through June 5 in Oklahoma City.
Fans can watch Northern Colorado’s home games at Gloria Rodriguez Field throughout several tournament weekends and conference series during the season.
