By Hola Nebraska
The NCAA Men’s College World Series returns to Omaha with open practices, free family-friendly activities and transportation changes around Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Games begin Friday, June 12.
Omaha will once again welcome fans from across the country for the NCAA Men’s College World Series, known as the MCWS, which will be played at Charles Schwab Field Omaha from Friday, June 12, through Sunday, June 21, with a possible championship game on Monday, June 22, if needed.
Before the official start of the games, organizers will hold Open Practice Day on Thursday, June 11, with practices open to the public and free activities near the stadium.
The event may bring heavy traffic to downtown Omaha and the north downtown area, so fans should check schedules, parking, street closures and transportation options before heading out.
Open practices begin Thursday morning
Open Practice Day begins Thursday, June 11, at 9:00 a.m. at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
The day gives fans a chance to see the eight qualifying teams during their final practice before games begin. Practices will take place throughout the day and will be open to the public.
The official practice schedule lists West Virginia from 9:10 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; Troy from 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; North Carolina from 11:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; and Ole Miss from 12:10 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In the afternoon, Alabama will practice from 1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Oklahoma from 2:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Georgia from 3:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Texas from 4:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All times are Central.
Fan Fest returns outside Gate 3 and Mike Fahey Street
The MCWS Fan Fest presented by Capital One also returns to Omaha on Thursday, June 11.
The event begins at 12:00 p.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. outside Gate 3 and Mike Fahey Street, near Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
Fan Fest will include interactive experiences, photo opportunities and free games for visitors. The programming is designed as a family-friendly activity before official games begin.
Organizers said Open Practice Day and Fan Fest are part of the opening stretch of MCWS week in Omaha.
MCWS games begin Friday, June 12
The 2026 NCAA Men’s College World Series begins Friday, June 12, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
The tournament is scheduled to continue through Sunday, June 21. If an additional game is needed to decide the championship, it will be played Monday, June 22.
This year’s event will bring eight college teams to Omaha. Fans can find ticket information, schedules and official activities on the MCWS website and at NCAA.com.
The official venue is Charles Schwab Field Omaha, located in downtown Omaha.
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Several streets will close near the stadium during the event
Fans should expect street closures and traffic changes during the MCWS.
According to official parking and transportation information, 13th Street will be closed from Cass Street to Cuming Street from two hours before the first game until one hour after the last game.
Mike Fahey Street will also be closed from 13th Street to 14th Street during those times. ADA drop-offs will be allowed in that area only.
During those closures, any vehicle traveling west on Cass Street west of 12th Street will be directed onto the interstate.
There will also be closures throughout the entire MCWS. Mike Fahey Street will remain closed from 10th Street to 12th Street, and northbound traffic on 12th Street from Cass Street will not have through access and will be open only to vehicles with Lot B passes.
Public parking will cost $15 per vehicle
The MECA campus, which includes Charles Schwab Field Omaha and CHI Health Center Omaha, will have about 4,000 parking spaces available for pass holders, public parking and ADA needs.
All stadium lots will open at 8:00 a.m. on MCWS game days and close 90 minutes after the event. Overnight parking will not be allowed.
Lot A and the MECA garage will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lots B and D will be reserved for parking pass holders.
Available public parking will cost $15 per vehicle, per entry, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In-and-out parking will not be allowed.
Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in all MECA-managed surface lots, including Lot A, Lot B, Lot D and the MECA garage, at no charge for vehicles displaying a current state-issued disability placard or license plate.
Park Omaha and ParkMobile will allow parking reservations
Park Omaha will have surface lots, garages and metered spaces throughout downtown Omaha.
Fans will be able to reserve parking in advance through ParkMobile. Organizers recommend using the ParkMobile app or website to search for parking near the venue, select the event and pay for a reservation.
The official guide notes that ParkMobile is not the Park Omaha app.
More than 400 spaces will also be available north of the stadium, directly across from Cuming Street, in the North Downtown Parking area, known as NODOPA.
Creighton University will also offer on-campus parking for MCWS fans and visitors. Tailgating will be allowed, but motorhomes and recreational vehicles will not be admitted because of size restrictions.
NDOT recommends checking Nebraska 511 before traveling
The Nebraska Department of Transportation, known as NDOT, warns that significant congestion may affect eventgoers and people traveling through the Omaha area.
NDOT recommends allowing extra time, planning ahead and staying alert for sudden slowdowns or stopped traffic.
For drivers arriving in Omaha on I-80 from the west, the recommended route is to take I-80 eastbound to I-480 northbound and exit at Leavenworth Street, Exit 1B, or Harney Street, Exit 2A. From there, drivers should use local streets to reach parking options near Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
For drivers arriving from the east, the recommended route is to take I-80 westbound and exit at 13th Street, Exit 454, before using local streets to reach parking areas.
After each game, exiting traffic will be directed to 13th Street or Cuming Street to help reduce congestion.
NDOT recommends checking www.511.nebraska.gov for real-time traffic conditions before leaving.
Metro will offer bus service near the stadium
Metro Transit will provide additional service to move fans around north downtown Omaha and areas near the stadium.
The Ballpark Bus will take riders close to the action at Charles Schwab Field Omaha and connect with ORBT. The service will be free and will run about every 10 minutes for much of the day, with stops near the stadium and routes around downtown.
ORBT, Omaha’s rapid transit line, will also connect fans and residents with routes to the festivities. Fans can park for free at Westroads, take ORBT and get downtown in less than 30 minutes, according to official information.
ORBT runs every 10 minutes during peak times and every 20 minutes in the evening until midnight during the week. Fare is $1.25 each way, and riders 18 and younger ride free.
After each game, a Fastball ORBT will be available at 10th Street and Capitol Avenue. The bus will leave about 20 minutes after the game, make one stop at 15th Street and Dodge Street, and then head directly to the Westroads Transit Center.
Riders can download the MyRide OMA app to plan trips, check bus arrival times and track buses in real time. They can also prepare payment through the Umo app.
Bikes, scooters and rideshare will have designated areas
Heartland Bike Share will operate electric bikes at stations across the Omaha metro area, including several near the MCWS.
A bike corral will also be available near 15th Street and Mike Fahey Street. Cyclists should bring their own lock and park at their own risk, since the area will not be staffed.
Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services should use the north side of CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center as the designated pickup and drop-off location during the CWS.
Scooters may operate from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and will have designated parking at the corner of 15th Street and Mike Fahey Street. Lime scooters will not be allowed on Metro vehicles or on bus bike racks.
Motorhomes and other recreational vehicles will not be allowed in the Charles Schwab Field Omaha or CHI Health Center Omaha parking lots. Organizers say the lot entrances are not wide enough for those vehicles.
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