Big 12 Conference To Move Baseball Championship From Texas To Arizona
May 19, 2025, 11:38 AM
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: General view inside the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals spring training facility, Surprise Stadium on April 07, 2020 in Surprise, Arizona. According to reports, Major League Baseball is considering a scenario in which all 30 of its teams play an abbreviated regular season without fans in Arizona's various baseball facilities, including Chase Field and 10 spring training venues. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Big 12’s push westward now includes baseball. Starting in 2026, the conference tournament is moving from Texas to Arizona.
The conference announced on Monday that the 2026 Big 12 Baseball Championship would be played at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.
#Big12BSB is headed out west 🌵 pic.twitter.com/zAiQ2k8ZzS
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 19, 2025
For nearly three decades, the Big 12’s baseball tournament was held in the South Central United States, bouncing between ballparks in Oklahoma and Texas.
After adding four new Western schools in 2024, the conference decided to move the championship that way.
Surprise Stadium is where the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals hold their spring training and was ranked #1 in USA Today’s Best Spring Training Facility rankings.
In a press release from the Big 12, Chief Competition Officer Scott Draper spoke on the decision to move the tournament to the Grand Canyon State.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with REV Entertainment as the Big 12 Baseball Championship moves to a world-class venue in Arizona,” Draper said. “Surprise Stadium is a premier facility that will create a great atmosphere and experience for our student-athletes and fans.”
The move is a byproduct of the conference’s partnership with REV Entertainment, the official sports and entertainment partner of the Texas Rangers. The tie to the Lone Star State and the MLB team likely led to the championship’s new home.
Surprise Stadium to Host Big 12 Baseball Championship Starting in 2026https://t.co/2x8XxiBhWE
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 19, 2025
Surprise Stadium seats over 10,700 fans and offers various premium seating options.REV Entertainment Senior Vice President Jared Schrom explained what it means for the Big 12 and the city of Surprise.
“Bringing the Big 12 Baseball Championship to Surprise Stadium represents an exciting new chapter in our partnership with the Big 12 Conference and the City of Surprise,” Schrom said. “We look forward to creating a new tradition in Arizona starting in 2026.”
The 12-team Big 12 Baseball Championship will start on May 20, 2026.
