UNLV Softball Opens 2026 Season at Home
The UNLV softball team is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2026 season. They’ll kick off the action right at home, hosting the UNLV Leadoff Classic from February 5 to 8. Teams like California Baptist, the University of Illinois-Chicago, and Purdue will join the Rebels at Eller Media Stadium for the opening weekend.
Opening Weekend Matches:
- Thursday, February 5: UNLV vs. California Baptist at 6 p.m.
- Friday, February 6: UNLV vs. UIC at 6 p.m.
- Saturday, February 7:
- UNLV vs. California Baptist at 3 p.m.
- UNLV vs. UIC at 6 p.m.
- Sunday, February 8: UNLV vs. Purdue at 12 p.m.
Historical Matchups:
- California Baptist: UNLV leads the series 5-0.
- UIC: UNLV is 4-2 against UIC, having lost the last meeting in 2011.
- Purdue: UNLV has a slight edge at 3-2, winning the last matchup in 2012.
Fans attending will enjoy giveaways like trading cards and a season schedule poster. Every game offers a chance for postgame autographs and kids can run the bases after Sunday’s game.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are available now. Season tickets cost $50 for adults and $40 for seniors, faculty, staff, and alumni. For tournament passes, adults pay $25 and seniors $20. Kids under 12 and Nevada high school students with ID can enjoy the games for free!
Live Broadcast:
You can catch the action streaming live on YouTube. For links to live stats and the livestream, visit UNLV Rebels.
What’s Ahead:
After the Leadoff Classic, UNLV will host the Desert Classic from February 13 to 15, bringing in UC Davis, Seattle, and Quinnipiac.
Team on the Rise:
Last season, the Rebels finished 24-25 overall and 7-15 in the Mountain West Conference. Four players earned All-Mountain West honors, including Ariana Martinez, who made the first team. This year, UNLV welcomes back 10 letterwinners and 13 newcomers, including promising freshmen.
Key players like Charelle Aki, who batted .311 last season, and Maddie Scott, who played all 49 games, will help lead the team. With a mix of experienced returning players and new talent, the Rebels are ready to make a splash this season.
As the excitement builds for the first game, fans are eager to see how this new squad shapes up. With historical rivalries and fresh talent, the 2026 season promises to be thrilling.
