University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Opening Weekend Revealed
September 23, 2026 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball's opening weekend was revealed when the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the matchups for the 2027 NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
The Lady Vols will square off against Northwestern, Nebraska, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Long Island and Liberty in the season's opening showcase at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. It will mark the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five seasons that UT will take part in the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Big Orange won the tournament in 2023 and 2026, becoming just the fourth program to win more than one Leadoff Classic since the inaugural event in 1996.
Tennessee opens the season on Thursday, Feb. 11, versus Northwestern at 6 p.m. ET. On Feb. 12, UT faces Nebraska and North Carolina in doubleheader action before playing another twin bill on Feb. 13, against Virginia Tech and Long Island.
UT wraps up the tournament on Valentine's Day against Liberty.
Tickets are available for purchase through the City of Clearwater. Please note that ticket prices will include tax and an additional third-party fee during the purchasing process. A link to tickets can be found HERE.
All games will be streamed live and for free on the GameChanger App, with contests on fields 8 and 9 featuring a dedicated broadcast team and multi-camera views. GameChanger, an NFCA Official Sponsor, is the official streaming provider of the Division I Leadoff. Returning for a fourth consecutive year, select games will be broadcast on MLB Network during the event, with matchups, dates, and times to be determined and announced at a later date.
The Lady Vols will square off against Northwestern, Nebraska, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Long Island and Liberty in the season's opening showcase at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. It will mark the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five seasons that UT will take part in the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Big Orange won the tournament in 2023 and 2026, becoming just the fourth program to win more than one Leadoff Classic since the inaugural event in 1996.
Tennessee opens the season on Thursday, Feb. 11, versus Northwestern at 6 p.m. ET. On Feb. 12, UT faces Nebraska and North Carolina in doubleheader action before playing another twin bill on Feb. 13, against Virginia Tech and Long Island.
UT wraps up the tournament on Valentine's Day against Liberty.
Tickets are available for purchase through the City of Clearwater. Please note that ticket prices will include tax and an additional third-party fee during the purchasing process. A link to tickets can be found HERE.
All games will be streamed live and for free on the GameChanger App, with contests on fields 8 and 9 featuring a dedicated broadcast team and multi-camera views. GameChanger, an NFCA Official Sponsor, is the official streaming provider of the Division I Leadoff. Returning for a fourth consecutive year, select games will be broadcast on MLB Network during the event, with matchups, dates, and times to be determined and announced at a later date.
Friday, May 22
Thursday, May 21
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
