What Time Is The College World Series Today?
Honestly, if you’re staring at your TV remote wondering why ESPN isn’t showing the Road to Omaha right now, there’s a very simple—if slightly disappointing—reason. There is no College World Series game today, January 18, 2026.
I know, I know. You probably saw a headline or a "today in sports" notification and got your hopes up. But here is the cold, hard reality of the NCAA calendar: we are currently in the middle of winter, and the Men’s College World Series (MCWS) is strictly a summer tradition.
The 2026 Men’s College World Series doesn't actually start until Friday, June 12, 2026.
Why You're Seeing CWS News In January
It's kinda confusing, right? Why is everyone talking about Omaha in the dead of January? Basically, it’s "Preseason Fever." Just last week, the major polls—including the D1Baseball Top 25—dropped their preseason rankings.
UCLA is sitting at the preseason No. 1 spot, which has everyone debating whether they can actually go the distance this year. Plus, the NCAA just released the official game times for the Women’s College World Series (WCWS).
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Even though the women's tournament doesn't start until May 28, 2026, the schedule release always triggers a massive spike in "what time is the game" searches.
- Men’s CWS Start Date: June 12, 2026
- Women’s CWS Start Date: May 28, 2026
- NCAA D1 Baseball Opening Day: February 13, 2026
The Real 2026 Men's College World Series Schedule
When June finally rolls around, the schedule at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha follows a very specific rhythm. If you’re trying to plan your life (or your PTO) for the summer, here is what the opening weekend usually looks like based on the NCAA's confirmed dates:
Friday, June 12 (Opening Day)
The tournament typically kicks off with a double-header. While exact times are often "TBD" until the bracket is set, history tells us Game 1 usually lands around 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM ET, with Game 2 following in the primetime slot around 7:00 PM ET.
The Weekend Slate
Saturday and Sunday (June 13-14) follow that same afternoon/evening split. It’s the best weekend of the year for college baseball fans. You've basically got twelve hours of elite-level ball across the two days.
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The Finals
The best-of-three Championship Series is set to begin on Saturday, June 20. This is the peak of the season.
Don't Get Fooled By The NCCAA
One thing that trips people up every single year is the "other" CWS. The NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) also holds a World Series. Their schedule often pops up in search results and can lead to some major confusion. Their 2026 World Series is slated for mid-May, but that’s a completely different organization than the NCAA powerhouse we see on ESPN every June.
When Does The Actual Season Start?
You don't have to wait until June to see some action. You've only got a few weeks left of the offseason. D1 Baseball Opening Day is Friday, February 13, 2026. Expect a massive slate of games that Friday. We’re talking about high-profile matchups like North Carolina taking on Indiana in Chapel Hill at 4:00 PM ET. That’s the real start of the "Road to Omaha."
If you’re looking for a "college world series" fix today, your best bet is to head over to YouTube and rewatch the 2025 finals. Last year was a total barnburner, with the Texas Longhorns snagging a historic title. The viewership for those final games hit nearly 2.7 million people, which is insane for college ball.
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How To Be Ready For June
If you are planning to actually go to Omaha this year, you need to act fast. Tickets for the 2026 Men's College World Series are already listed on secondary markets like SeatGeek, and "All Session" passes are already fetching four figures.
Keep an eye on the weather and the conference realignment drama. This year is weird because schools like Oregon State are navigating independent life, while others like Dallas Baptist and Fresno State are moving into the Pac-12. It’s going to change the RPI landscape significantly.
Your Next Steps:
- Mark February 13 on your calendar. That is the true opening day for Division I baseball.
- Check the Women's CWS schedule if you're a softball fan; those May 28 tickets are already on sale.
- Ignore the "Today" results in your weather app or calendar alerts—they're likely just placeholders or preseason announcements.
The wait for Omaha is long, but February 13 is the real light at the end of the tunnel.