WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State softball will once again face one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2026, as head coach
Kristi Bredbenner has announced the team's spring schedule.
The Shockers bring back just seven returners from last year's team, while welcoming in 14 newcomers - a mix of five freshmen and nine transfers.
Wichita State will be quite familiar with the Lone Star State in 2026. The Shockers are set to play its first 15 games of the season in the state of Texas over three different tournaments. Plus, a conference series at North Texas in April.
Wichita State doesn't waste any time getting into elite competition, as they open the season in Waco, Texas, at the Getterman Classic. The Shockers will see Mississippi State, Baylor, Northwestern State and New Mexico, Feb. 6-8.
After coming home for a few days, it's right back to Texas for the State's Up Invitational in San Marcos. A loaded tournament will see the Shockers play Arkansas, Texas State, Clemson and BYU, Feb. 13-15. The February in Texas road trip closes with the Boerner Invitational in Arlington, Feb. 20-22, against South Dakota, UT Arlington and Creighton.
The final tournament before conference play sends the Shockers to Columbia, Mo., for the Mizzou Invitational, Feb. 27-March 1. Along with the host Missouri Tigers, Wichita State will face Drake and Miami (OH).
Wichita State's 2026 home opener is an in-state midweek matchup vs. Kansas on March 4 at 6 p.m. in Wilkins Stadium. The Shockers travel to Lawrence on April 29.
American Conference plays begins on March 6 with the first of two trips to Greenville, N.C. East Carolina is also set to host the American Conference Championship in May.
The first of two midweek battles with Oklahoma State comes in Stillwater on March 11, while the Cowgirls make the return trip to Wichita a month later on April 8. Wichita State's only other home midweek contest is against South Dakota State on March 17 at 2 p.m.
Wichita State visits Norman to face the Sooners at Love's Field on March 31 at 6 p.m.
Conference home series on the slate include UAB (March 13-15), Florida Atlantic (March 20-22), Tulsa (April 2-4), UTSA (April 10-12) and Memphis (April 30-May 2). The remaining conference road trips include South Florida (March 27-29), Charlotte (April 17-19) and North Texas (April 24-26).
The 2026 American Conference Championship will be May 6-9 in Greenville, N.C.
Season tickets for Wichita State home softball games go on sale Dec. 3.
