LAKELAND, Fla. — Southeastern has been selected as one of the 10 host sites for the 2026 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round, the national office announced Friday. The selection marks the first time in program history that Southeastern will serve as a host for the event.
The Fire will welcome teams to Diamond Plex in Winter Haven, Florida, with Opening Round play scheduled for May 11–14. The site becomes a central stage in the NAIA postseason, as teams begin their pursuit of a national title.
Completed in May 1998, Diamond Plex is a premier softball facility featuring a 210-foot field and a range of modern amenities. The complex includes batting cages, bullpens, locker rooms and showers, and permanent bleachers. Additional features such as red crushed-limestone warning tracks, modern lighting, and a full press room enhance the championship atmosphere.
The Opening Round serves as the first step in the NAIA Softball National Championship. The 48-team field will be revealed live on the PlayNAIA YouTube channel at 4 p.m. CT on May 6, setting the bracket for postseason play. A total of 46 teams will compete across 10 sites in a double-elimination format, with six locations hosting five-team brackets and four hosting four-team brackets.
At the conclusion of Opening Round play, 10 teams will advance to the NAIA Softball World Series, continuing their path toward a national championship.
Host sites were selected by the NAIA National Office in consultation with the National Selection Committee, with considerations including geography, facility quality, and overall host readiness following the April 15 bid deadline.
