The 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship opens Tuesday, May 19, at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois, kicking off a week of single‑elimination play that will crown a champion by May 23. This marks the 47th edition of the tournament, which has been held at this venue five times and is scheduled to remain there through 2029.
Opening Day Schedule
Game 1 will feature the sixth‑seeded Lindenwood taking on the seventh‑seeded UT Martin at noon Central Time. An hour later, Game 2 will see the fifth‑seeded Morehead State face the eighth‑seeded Southern Indiana, continuing the opening‑round action.
Ticket Details and Access
Tickets are available for $30 for an all‑session pass, $10 per adult for a single day, and $5 for children under 18, college students with valid ID. Fans can purchase tickets online or at the park box office, and all seating is general admission.
Live Coverage
The entire tournament will be streamed live on ESPN+, giving viewers across the country access to every game without needing a cable subscription.
A Venue With History
Mtn Dew Park, which opened in 2007 after a rename from Rent One Park, has become a staple of the region’s summer baseball scene. It serves as the home field for the Prospect League’s Thrillville Thrillbillies, who entered the league in 2023, and will host the OVC tournament through 2029.
Looking Ahead
With eight teams competing over five days, the championship promises intense competition and a showcase for emerging talent. As the tournament moves forward, it continues to reinforce the OVC’s role as a key incubator for future major‑league players.