LAKELAND, Fla. – The 2026 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round is coming to Lakeland as four teams will compete May 11-14 at Ted A. Broer Stadium for a berth in the NAIA World Series.
Hosted by Southeastern University, the Lakeland Opening Round will feature host and No. 1 seed Southeastern along with No. 2 seed Milligan, No. 3 seed British Columbia, and No. 4 seed Faulkner. Complete tournament information is available at 2026 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Central.
Southeastern enters the postseason as champions of the Sun Conference Tournament after posting a 39-15 overall record and a 19-9 mark in conference play. The Fire are making their 11th appearance in the NAIA Opening Round and have advanced to the NAIA World Series seven times in program history. Southeastern has captured two NAIA National Championships, winning titles in 2018 and 2022.
Milligan earned an at-large berth out of the Appalachian Athletic Conference after finishing 40-13 overall and 22-5 in league play. The Buffs are making their second Opening Round appearance in program history and are seeking their first trip to the NAIA World Series.
British Columbia enters the field after finishing as the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament runner-up. The Thunder carry a 38-15 overall record and a 30-7 conference mark into postseason play. UBC is making its 12th Opening Round appearance and has reached the NAIA World Series twice, including last season in 2025.
Faulkner received an at-large selection from the Southern States Athletic Conference after compiling a 30-22 overall record and a 15-12 conference mark. The Eagles are making their 14th Opening Round appearance and own one of the most accomplished postseason histories in the field with 10 NAIA World Series appearances and the 2013 national championship.
Opening round play begins Monday, May 11, with Milligan facing British Columbia at 2:30 p.m. ET. Host Southeastern will take on Faulkner at 6 p.m. ET in the nightcap.
Tournament Schedule
Monday, May 11
Game 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET – First Round
Milligan vs. British Columbia
Game 2 – 6 p.m. ET – First Round
Faulkner vs. Southeastern
Tuesday, May 12
Game 3 – 2:30 p.m. ET – Semifinal
Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4 – 6 p.m. ET – Elimination
Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Wednesday, May 13
Game 5 – 2:30 p.m. ET – Elimination Semifinal
Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 6 – 6 p.m. ET – Opening Round Final
Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Thursday, May 14
Game 7 – 12 p.m. ET – If Necessary
Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser
Every game of the tournament will be streamed live on Urban Edge Network.
