Jacksonville Classic Collegiate Baseball Tournament 2026: dates, schedule, teams, tickets, and a smart way to do the weekend
“This year’s event is shaping up to be the best one yet.” That’s how the organizers framed it when they announced the 2026 field.
Because for three straight days, downtown Jacksonville turns into an early-season college baseball hub: two games a day, big-name programs, and that “baseball is back” energy you can feel even in February.
Quick facts
- When: Feb. 20–22, 2026 (Fri–Sun)
- Where: VyStar Ballpark (301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202)
- Format: Round-robin, two games per day, each team plays one game per day
- Teams: LSU, UCF, Notre Dame, Indiana
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Times: Listed in Eastern and subject to change
Note on naming: you’ll see it called the Jacksonville Classic, Jax Classic, or the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic depending on where you’re looking. Same event.
The 2026 game schedule
*all times ET
Friday, Feb. 20
- LSU vs. Indiana: 2:00 p.m.
- UCF vs. Notre Dame: 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21
- Notre Dame vs. LSU: 12:00 p.m.
- UCF vs. Indiana: 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
- Indiana vs. Notre Dame: 11:00 a.m.
- LSU vs. UCF: 3:00 p.m.
Six games. Three days. No filler.
Why this tournament is worth your calendar space
You’re not committing to a weeklong road trip. You’re not guessing which day the best matchup lands. You get a tight slate; two games per day, round-robin, and the kind of programs that travel with fans.
And the setting works. VyStar Ballpark sits right in the downtown sports complex, so it’s easy to pair baseball with everything else you want to do in Jax: Riverwalk time, a quick hop to Riverside, or a beach morning before Sunday’s first pitch.
Tickets: what to buy, and what you actually get
Peak Events sells tickets as day passes (good for both games that day) and weekend passes.
From the 2026 ticket page, here’s the clean breakdown:
General Admission (outfield + berm areas)
- Day Pass: $25
- Weekend Pass: $70
Reserved (includes “Dugout Reserved” sections)
- Dugout Reserved Day Pass: $30
- Dugout Reserved Weekend Pass: $85
My practical take:
- If you’re doing one day, Day Pass is a no-brainer—two games for one ticket day.
- If you’re doing all weekend, the Weekend Pass keeps it simple.
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Want the “I’m here to watch every pitch” vibe? Go Reserved. Want to float between shade, snacks, and sunshine? GA/berm works.
Game-day logistics that save you time
1) Use the right address
Set your GPS to: 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202.
2) Parking is plentiful, but price varies by event
The ballpark shares the sports complex parking system—6,604 on-site spaces are part of the complex footprint, and pricing depends on the event.
If you’re coming for a weekend pass, I’d treat parking like part of the plan: arrive early on Friday, figure out your preferred lot/garage, then repeat the same move Saturday and Sunday. Less thinking. More baseball.
3) Bag policy
You can bring a bag or purse up to 16" x 16" x 12"; hard-sided bags and a bunch of other items are prohibited, and bags are subject to search.
My rule: bring a small bag, keep it light, and assume you’ll be asked to open every pocket.
4) Directions if you’re driving in
If you’re rolling in from I-10/I-95, the Jumbo Shrimp “getting to the game” directions literally walk you through the exits and turns (Union Street → Arlington Expressway → A. Philip Randolph). Handy when downtown traffic gets… downtown-y.
A simple “do it right” weekend plan
Friday: arrive, settle in, enjoy the doubleheader
Get downtown early enough to park once, walk around, and be seated before the 2:00 p.m. start.
Two games later, you’re done at a reasonable hour—and Jacksonville’s not exactly short on ways to spend an evening.
Saturday: the “baseball + exploring” day
Saturday’s first pitch is noon, so your morning is yours.
Grab coffee, hit the Riverwalk, then come back for the 1–2 punch.
Sunday: the early start, then a clean exit
Sunday starts at 11:00 a.m., which I love because you can catch a full game and still be on the road (or at the beach) by late afternoon.
FAQ
Is it really two games per day?
Yes, two games daily, round-robin, and each team plays once per day.
Who’s playing in 2026?
LSU, UCF, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Where is it held?
VyStar Ballpark in downtown Jacksonville (301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.).
What time zone are game times listed in?
Times are listed in Eastern and can change.
Do day tickets cover both games?
Yes, day tickets are sold by the day and include both games that day (per the 2026 ticket page).