The stage is set for a blockbuster start to the 2026 college baseball season, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Louisville Cardinals, and Auburn Tigers prepare to collide at the prestigious Amegy Bank College Baseball Series. Hosted inside Globe Life Field—the sparkling home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas—this February event has quickly become a centerpiece for early-season showdowns among some of the nation’s most ambitious programs. With the official schedules now released, anticipation is building for a weekend packed with high-caliber matchups, postseason pedigree, and storylines that stretch from the Arizona desert to the heart of the SEC and Big Ten.
Nebraska’s 2026 campaign, announced on October 1, 2025, sets an aggressive tone from the jump. Head coach Will Bolt’s Cornhuskers will play 56 games, including 23 at their home park in Lincoln, but it’s their coast-to-coast non-conference slate that’s grabbing headlines. The Huskers kick off their season at the MLB Desert Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona, from February 13–16, 2026, before shifting east to Arlington for the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, set for February 20–22. There, Nebraska will lock horns with Louisville, Kansas State, and Florida State—three programs with deep postseason experience and national recognition. According to Nebraska’s official release, “the Huskers are set to face Louisville, Kansas State and Florida State at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field.”
Louisville, no stranger to the bright lights of Globe Life Field, is equally primed for a return engagement. The Cardinals capped a thrilling 2025 campaign with a 42-24 record, storming through the Nashville Regional and defeating Miami in the Super Regional at Jim Patterson Stadium before reaching the College World Series semifinals. Though their run ended at the hands of Coastal Carolina, the Cardinals matched the program’s deepest postseason push and set the bar high for 2026. They’ll open their Amegy Bank Series slate against Nebraska on February 20 at 4 p.m. ET, followed by a clash with Michigan on February 21 at noon ET, and a headline matchup against Auburn on February 22 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Tournament organizers have announced that “general admission tickets—including three-day tournament passes and single-day options—are on sale now at GlobeLifeField.com,” with prices ranging from $18 for youth single-day tickets to $72 for adult three-day passes.
For Auburn, the 2026 series marks a return to familiar territory. The Tigers, who finished 2025 with a stellar 41-20 record and earned the No. 4 overall national seed, swept the Auburn Regional before bowing out to Coastal Carolina in the Super Regional. Their appearance in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series is their second straight, and it’s shaping up to be a crucial early test. Auburn will face Kansas State on February 20 at 7 p.m. CT, Florida State on February 21 at 3 p.m. CT, and wrap up the weekend against Louisville on February 22 at 10:30 a.m. CT. The Tigers’ 2026 schedule is packed with SEC powerhouses, but this Texas weekend stands out as a measuring stick for Butch Thompson’s squad before conference play begins March 13 at Missouri.
The magnitude of this Arlington event can’t be overstated. Nebraska’s schedule alone features 19 games against eight 2025 NCAA Tournament participants—Auburn, Creighton, Florida State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Oregon, and USC. “Nebraska’s 2026 schedule is a 56-game gauntlet that blends high-profile non-conference clashes with a rigorous Big Ten slate,” reports Nebraska On SI. The Huskers will also face Auburn again in a three-game road series from February 27 to March 1, adding another layer to this budding cross-conference rivalry.
Louisville, meanwhile, brings a roster brimming with experience and postseason seasoning. The Cardinals’ 2025 run included wins over Texas and Arizona at Globe Life Field, and head coach Dan McDonnell’s program has made six College World Series appearances since 2007. Their return to Arlington is a chance to showcase their depth against top national competition and set the tone for another deep postseason push. As McDonnell noted during the team’s recent fall campaign, “We have a lot of veteran hitters, and it’s always good to see them perform well, but it’s also very encouraging when some new faces, some young guys, we got a lot of production from a lot of hitters and the same on the mound.”
The event is also a proving ground for Nebraska’s postseason ambitions. After capturing the 2025 Big Ten title at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha—“with a statement win over No. 2 UCLA,” as highlighted by Nebraska On SI—Bolt’s squad is built for resilience and versatility. Their 2026 schedule is loaded with high-profile home series (Kansas, Creighton, USC) and challenging road trips (Auburn, Oregon), ensuring that the Huskers will be battle-tested by the time conference play begins against Michigan State on March 6-8.
Ticket information for the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series is front and center for fans eager to catch the action in person. Single-day and multi-day passes are available, and for those seeking a premium experience, suite and group discounts can be arranged through the stadium box office. The event promises not only top-flight baseball but also the unique atmosphere of a Major League ballpark—a rare treat for college fans and players alike.
Beyond Arlington, each team’s 2026 journey is packed with intrigue. Auburn’s SEC slate includes showdowns with Missouri, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Georgia. Louisville’s non-conference schedule is highlighted by their annual Pizza Bowl fall World Series, a best-of-seven intra-squad event that has become a fan favorite in Louisville. Nebraska, after their Texas and Auburn road swings, will return home for a five-game homestand and then launch into a Big Ten schedule filled with rivalry and postseason stakes. The regular season will conclude for the Huskers with a midweek tilt at Creighton on May 12 and a series at Minnesota from May 14-16, before the Big Ten Tournament returns to Charles Schwab Field for the ninth time.
So, what’s at stake in Arlington this February? For Nebraska, Louisville, and Auburn, the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series is more than just an early-season test—it’s a national showcase, a chance to measure up against elite competition, and a springboard for postseason dreams. With tickets on sale and anticipation building, college baseball fans have every reason to circle these dates and get ready for a weekend of drama, talent, and unforgettable moments inside Globe Life Field.
