University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Northern Colorado Softball Announces Competitive 2026 Schedule
12/16/2025 12:30:00 PM | Softball
GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado softball program has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring a competitive nonconference slate, multiple early-season tournaments and a full Big Sky Conference schedule highlighted by several home series at Gloria Rodriguez Field.
"We're excited about the challenge and balance of our 2026 schedule," said head coach Dede Pendleton-Helm. "Opening the season against strong West Coast opponents and competing in quality early tournaments will test us right away and help prepare us for Big Sky play. We're also looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans at Gloria Rodriguez Field and continuing to build momentum as we move into conference competition and postseason opportunities."
Northern Colorado opens the 2026 campaign at the Southern California Tournament, beginning Feb. 6-8 in Los Angeles. The Bears will face a challenging field that includes UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, LMU and UC Riverside at Easton Stadium and Smith Field, providing an early test against top West Coast programs.
The Bears continue nonconference play at the Grand Canyon Invite, Feb. 13-15 in Phoenix, Ariz., where UNC will face South Dakota, Grand Canyon and Harvard across the three-day event. Northern Colorado then travels to San Antonio, Texas, for the UTSA Tournament, Feb. 20-22, with matchups against Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, UMass Lowell and additional opponents to be determined.
UNC's home slate begins Feb. 27-March 1 with the Colorado Classic DI Tournament, split between Gloria Rodriguez Field in Greeley and Ram Field in Fort Collins. The Bears will face Creighton and Colorado State during the weekend, marking the first home action of the 2026 season.
The Bears return to Greeley March 6-8 for the Colorado Classic Tournament, hosting South Dakota, South Dakota State and Drake. Northern Colorado then heads west for a mid-March nonconference series at Pacific in Stockton, Calif., before welcoming Saint Mary's to Gloria Rodriguez Field for a home series beginning March 20.
Big Sky Conference play opens March 27, with the Bears hosting Sacramento State in Greeley before traveling to Montana and Portland State in April. UNC will also host Idaho State and Weber State during conference play, closing the regular-season home schedule April 24-25 against Weber State.
The 2026 Big Sky Conference Championship is scheduled for May 4-7 at Miller Ranch Stadium in Pocatello, Idaho. Following the conference tournament, NCAA Regionals are set to begin May 14, with Super Regionals slated for May 21. The Women's College World Series will take place in Oklahoma City, May 28-June 5.
Northern Colorado will play its home games at Gloria Rodriguez Field, with multiple tournament weekends and conference series giving fans numerous opportunities to see the Bears in action during the 2026 season.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
"We're excited about the challenge and balance of our 2026 schedule," said head coach Dede Pendleton-Helm. "Opening the season against strong West Coast opponents and competing in quality early tournaments will test us right away and help prepare us for Big Sky play. We're also looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans at Gloria Rodriguez Field and continuing to build momentum as we move into conference competition and postseason opportunities."
Northern Colorado opens the 2026 campaign at the Southern California Tournament, beginning Feb. 6-8 in Los Angeles. The Bears will face a challenging field that includes UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, LMU and UC Riverside at Easton Stadium and Smith Field, providing an early test against top West Coast programs.
The Bears continue nonconference play at the Grand Canyon Invite, Feb. 13-15 in Phoenix, Ariz., where UNC will face South Dakota, Grand Canyon and Harvard across the three-day event. Northern Colorado then travels to San Antonio, Texas, for the UTSA Tournament, Feb. 20-22, with matchups against Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, UMass Lowell and additional opponents to be determined.
UNC's home slate begins Feb. 27-March 1 with the Colorado Classic DI Tournament, split between Gloria Rodriguez Field in Greeley and Ram Field in Fort Collins. The Bears will face Creighton and Colorado State during the weekend, marking the first home action of the 2026 season.
The Bears return to Greeley March 6-8 for the Colorado Classic Tournament, hosting South Dakota, South Dakota State and Drake. Northern Colorado then heads west for a mid-March nonconference series at Pacific in Stockton, Calif., before welcoming Saint Mary's to Gloria Rodriguez Field for a home series beginning March 20.
Big Sky Conference play opens March 27, with the Bears hosting Sacramento State in Greeley before traveling to Montana and Portland State in April. UNC will also host Idaho State and Weber State during conference play, closing the regular-season home schedule April 24-25 against Weber State.
The 2026 Big Sky Conference Championship is scheduled for May 4-7 at Miller Ranch Stadium in Pocatello, Idaho. Following the conference tournament, NCAA Regionals are set to begin May 14, with Super Regionals slated for May 21. The Women's College World Series will take place in Oklahoma City, May 28-June 5.
Northern Colorado will play its home games at Gloria Rodriguez Field, with multiple tournament weekends and conference series giving fans numerous opportunities to see the Bears in action during the 2026 season.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
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