Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational Preview and How to Watch

The NCAA Division I Softball season has officially started, and one of the most anticipated events annually is the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational.

This year's event runs Thursday-Sunday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla., and is stacked full with some of the top teams in the nation, including 2025 NCAA Women's College World Series participants Tennessee Lady Vols, UCLA Bruins, and national runners-up Texas Tech Red Raiders.

It will also feature early season Top 25 matchups that could be potential WCWS previews, and don't overlook up and coming teams that are looking for a breakthrough in 2025 such as the Missouri Tigers, North Carolina State Wolfpack, LSU Tigers, or maybe mid-major Florida Atlantic Owls, who have one of the toughest sets to face in the invitational.

Schedule. Is. HERE. 😎

The 2026 @shrinershosp Clearwater Invitational is stacked 🔥 Catch all the action Feb. 12-15. Tickets drop Nov. 13 at 1PM ET 🎟️

THREAD BELOW 👇

#ClearwaterInvite | #SunshineSoftball pic.twitter.com/pJMfwldiNy
— Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational (@ClearwaterInv) November 5, 2025

Participating Teams

Duke
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Florida State University (FSU)
Georgia
James Madison University (JMU)
Louisiana State University (LSU)
Missouri
NC State
Nebraska
Northwestern
Oklahoma State
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Texas TechUniversity of Central Florida (UCF)
UCLA

Key Matchups

No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech: Feb. 12, 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2

A 2025 NCAA Tallahassee Super Regional rematch, right off the bat.

First No. 1️⃣ ranking in program history! pic.twitter.com/1XU7dKSf8y
— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) January 13, 2026

Preseason No. 1 Texas Tech Red Raiders and the No. 6 Florida State Seminoles will immediately see who has the juice early on this season. NiJaree Canady and the Red Raiders swept the Seminoles in two games to advance to the WCWS and are stacked with new and returning talent as an early favorite to return to the championship.

FSU looks to make a run in 2025 as well. Led by Isa Torres, Ashtyn Danley, Kennedy Harp, and others. This Seminoles squad looks strong and diverse coming into this season. Look for this game to have a postseason feel.

No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 13 Nebraska: Feb. 13, 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Another 2025 NCAA Super Regional rematch from the Knoxville Super Regional.

when Oklahoma City calls our name pic.twitter.com/EC24yE1nrm
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) May 26, 2025

The No. 4 Tennessee Lady Vols will take on the No. 11 Nebraska Cornhuskers, and this is one that I feel is very important early on. Nebraska returns one of the most experienced rosters in the nation. With Jordy Frahm and Ava Kuszak's leadership, Nebraska is poised for a great season.

Karlyn Pickens pitched a complete game two-hitter with 10 strikeouts in the 1-0 win over the Huskers in Game 3 of the super regional last season, to send Tennessee to the WCWS. Pickens totaled 17.2 innings with 28 strikeouts in the three games against Nebraska. Ella Dodge homered in the first inning of that game, and that was all the Lady Vols needed. This one should be good.

Missouri vs. No. 22 Duke: Feb. 15, 9 a.m. ET on ACCN

In a season where Mizzou needs a breakthrough, this is a great opportunity to get a quality win.

Bringing the power to the outfield 💥@Emmajack_03 is rated as the No. 19th best outfielder in softball ahead of the 2026 season!#MIZ🐯🥎 | #OwnIt pic.twitter.com/hN2qWkCMur
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) January 16, 2026

The No. 20 Duke Blue Devils bring back leaders in Aminah Vega, Cassidy Curd, and Jada Baker, along with talented infielder Jess Oakland, who redshirted last season. How will the Blue Devils look in their quest to get back to OKC?

They will face a motivated team in the Missouri Tigers who are facing what feels like a must-win season. Coach Larissa Anderson was unhappy with last season's postseason miss. This team has a mix of returning leadership, such as Cierra Harrison, Marissa McCann, and Kayley Lenger, with newcomers such as East Carolina transfer Emma Jackson, who Anderson says has the flashy it factor that the team needs.

This weekend should be a great one that you will not want to miss.

How to Watch

All games can be found on the ESPN networks, including the SEC Network, ACC Network, and the ESPN App.

The 📺 networks are set for the 2026 @shrinershosp Clearwater Invitational.

All 40 games will be presented across ESPN platforms, including 19 televised contests. Catch the action on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, and ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/0Yi6DlqIw8
— Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational (@ClearwaterInv) January 22, 2026

How to Purchase Tickets

All access passes are sold out for Thursday through Saturday, with general admission available for fields 1-4. Sunday's All-Access passes before 5:00 PM ET are available, with Texas Tech vs. Nebraska and Tennessee vs. Florida State games sold out. Visit here for updated ticket options.