What is the College World Series?
The College World Series is the championship of NCAA Division I baseball — played in Omaha every June since 1950, at Charles Schwab Field since 2011. Oklahoma are the 2026 national champions, routing North Carolina 13–2 in the decisive game for a third title and their first since 1994.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Oklahoma | 13–2 vs North Carolina — 3rd title, first since 1994 |
| 2025 | LSU | Swept Coastal Carolina — 8th title |
| 2024 | Tennessee | 2–1 series vs Texas A&M — first title |
| 2023 | LSU | 2–1 series vs Florida |
| 2022 | Ole Miss | Swept Oklahoma — first title |
| 2021 | Mississippi State | 2–1 series vs Vanderbilt — first title |
| 2020 | — | Tournament canceled (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Vanderbilt | 2–1 series vs Michigan |
| 2018 | Oregon State | 2–1 series vs Arkansas |
| 2017 | Florida | Swept LSU — first title |
National champions of the last ten seasons.
How does it work?
A 64-team NCAA tournament — regionals and super regionals on campus — sends eight teams to Omaha for two double-elimination brackets and a best-of-three final. Southern California's twelve titles lead history; LSU, Texas and the SEC powers dominate the modern era. NJCAA and NAIA World Series run in parallel.[1] [3]
Why does it matter?
Omaha is college baseball's mecca — the phrase "getting to Omaha" defines programs — and CWS performances, with ABCA All-America honors and the Golden Spikes Award, are the standard credentials of the amateur game on the road to the draft.[1] [2]
References
- NCAA — Men's College World Series. Accessed August 2026.
- NCAA — Oklahoma wins the 2026 DI baseball championship. Accessed August 2026.
- MLB — Oklahoma wins 2026 Men's College World Series. Accessed August 2026.