What to know about softball's Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational: Schedule, teams

After an action-packed opening weekend, college softball returns with the 2026 Shriners Children’s Classic that promises to keep the excitement going.

📊 CHECK OUT: Shakeups in the Power 10 after crazy Week 1

The seventh edition of the invitational will take place Thursday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, Feb. 15, in Clearwater, Fla. and will see 16 premier programs in college softball go head-to-head. 

 Check out the schedule, storylines and history below. 

Shriners Children's Classic Schedule

2026 Shriners Children's Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. 

• Friday, Feb. 13
  • No. 17 Georgia vs. NC State | 9 a.m.
  • No. 8 Texas A&M vs. No. 23 Oklahoma State | 10 a.m.
  • Northwestern vs. UCF | 10 a.m.
  • No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 8 Nebraska | 12 p.m.
  • Missouri vs. NC State | 12:30 p.m.
  • No. 8 Texas A&M vs. No. 19 Duke | 1 p.m.
  • No. 17 Georgia vs. UCF | 1 p.m.
  • No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 23 Oklahoma State | 3 p.m.
  • No. 1 Texas Tech vs. Florida Atlantic | 4 p.m.
  • No. 10 LSU vs. No. 19 Duke | 4:30 p.m.
  • No. 3 Tennessee vs. JMU | 5 p.m.
  • No. 7 UCLA vs. Missouri | 6 p.m.
  • No. 6 Florida State vs. Florida Atlantic | 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 14
  • No. 8 Texas A&M vs. NC State | 9 a.m.
  • No. 19 Duke vs. No. 23 Oklahoma State | 10 a.m.
  • No. 10 LSU vs. UCF | 10 a.m.
  • Missouri vs. Northwestern | 10 a.m.
  • No. 3 Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic | 12 p.m.
  • No. 1 Texas Tech vs. NC State | 1 p.m.
  • No. 17 Georgia vs. Northwestern | 1 p.m.
  • No.  8 Nebraska vs. UCF | 1:30 p.m.
  • Florida Atlantic vs. Missouri | 3 p.m.
  • No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 7 UCLA | 4 p.m.
  • No. 17 Georgia vs. No. 19 Duke | 4 p.m.
  • No. 1 Texas Tech vs. JMU | 4:30 p.m.
  • No. 7 Florida State vs. No. 10 UCLA
• Sunday, Feb. 15
  • No. 8 Texas A&M vs. JMU | 9 a.m.
  • No. 19 Duke vs. Missouri | 9 a.m.
  • No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 LSU | 10 a.m.
  • No. 8 Texas A&M vs. Northwestern | 12 p.m.
  • NC State vs. UCF | 12 p.m.
  • JMU vs. Florida Atlantic | 1 p.m.
  • No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 8 Nebraska | 6 p.m.
  • No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Florida State | 8 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 12
  • No. 8 Nebraska 6, No. 10 LSU 0
  • No. 23 Oklahoma State 6, No. 17 Georgia 5
  • No. 1 Texas Tech 3, No. 6 Florida State 2
  • No. 10 LSU 9, No. 23 Oklahoma State 4
  • No. 17 Georgia 6, No. 8 Nebraska 5
  • No. 1 Texas Tech 5, Northwestern 0

History of the Shriners Children's Classic

Shriners Children's first partnered with ESPN Events in 2019 to bring the sport's biggest names together at the start of the season. 

🏆 SEE WHAT WENT DOWN OPENING WEEKEND AT: The 2026 NFCA Leadoff Classic

The event took a brief pause in 2021 but returned the following year in Clearwater, Fla., and has been the premier destination for teams since. 

Seven of Softball America's Final Top 25 teams of the 2025 season started their year off in the Shriners Children's Classic last year. This season may be no different, as the schedule is packed with star power, including 10 ranked teams.

Storylines to watch this year

All eyes will be on Clearwater this weekend as an impressive 16-team field invades the Eddie C. Moore Complex. 

Out of the 16 teams, 13 qualified for the 2025 NCAA tournament while three made it to OKC: Texas Tech, Tennessee and UCLA. Across the invitational's 40 games, there will be eight top-10 square-offs you won't want to miss. 

😱 CATCH UP: No-hitters, grandslams and statement wins headline opening weekend

But if the action across the eight top-10 duels wasn't enough, there will be two rematches of the 2025 Supers with No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Florida State and No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 8 Nebraska, while No. 17 Georgia and No. 19 Duke will again after the Dawgs advanced from the epic Durham regional. 

The Red Raiders proved their ability last weekend, run ruling five out of their six games while adding a statement 3-2 win over a then No. 11 Texas A&M, who will also be in attendance.  

Transfer Mia Williams shone for Texas Tech, accruing 11 hits, 13 RBIs and three home runs in the victories, including the go-ahead run in the win over the Aggies. 

Mia William's 11th RBI of the season...

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB)

But the Raiders have a few more tests this weekend, also facing No. 8 Nebraska on the last day of the invite. Will their stacked transfer class and dominant veterans be able to remain dominant and hold on to their No. 1 spot after this weekend? 

Or will the Huskers take down another top team after their upset over Texas? 

The SEC Pitcher of the Week, Karlyn Pickens, will be in the circle as No. 3 Tennessee takes on three top-10 opponents, including No. 6 Florida State and No. 7 UCLA.

How Pickens measures up against the Huskers' heartbeat in Jordy Frahm will make for a must-watch game on Friday, Feb. 13. Either way, it'll be a full weekend for the Vols as they look to continue their unblemished record. 

Jordy takes a lap around the diamond 🏃‍♀️

Another 💣 for 98.

— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball)

Whatever game you're watching this weekend, it promises to not disappoint. And if the first week of the season taught us anything, it's to throw any expectations out the window. It's anyone's time to shine.