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Strong Field Set for 2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia
2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic Field Announced
Today the NFCA revealed the eighteen team field for the 2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic. The event will take place at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Georgia, from February 27 to March 1, 2026. This marks a return to the same venue that hosted the 2025 World Series.
Three of the eighteen programs announced, Georgia Gwinnett College, the University of the Cumberlands, and Reinhardt University, were World Series participants last season, bringing plenty of championship experience into the field.
One of the teams earning an invite is Johnson University from Knoxville, Tennessee. The Royals made history in 2025, earning their first NAIA postseason berth after capturing the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament title. Still a young program, Johnson has quickly built momentum under head coach Dayna Carter. I had the chance to visit with Coach Carter and the Royals recently, and they remain motivated to build on that success with even bigger goals for 2026.
According to the NFCA, six of the eighteen teams in the field recorded winning records in 2025. Georgia Gwinnett (48-10), Rio Grande (46-11), and Cumberlands (40-9) all notched 40 win seasons, while Brenau (34-16), Coastal Georgia (35-19), Reinhardt (32-12), Stillman (33-13), Thomas (30-22), Mobile (33-20), and William Carey (36-19) each surpassed the 30 win mark.
Below is the complete list of participating programs for the 2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic.
Brenau University, Campbellsville University, College of Coastal Georgia, Faulkner University, Freed Hardeman University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Johnson University, Lindsey Wilson College, Louisiana Christian University, Reinhardt University, Stillman College, Thomas University, Truett McConnell University, United States Sports University, University of Mobile, University of Rio Grande, University of the Cumberlands, and William Carey University.
Stay tuned for any updates in regard to NFCA and College Softball news. Event schedule provided by the NFCA is below.
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