NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont Softball announced its 2026 schedule Friday, opening the season against a challenging nonconference field before MVC play begins in March.
The Bruins, reigning 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Champions, will open the season on the road with three early-season tournaments before returning to Nashville for their home opener in late February.
Belmont begins the year at the Red & Black Showcase hosted by Georgia in Athens, Ga., where the Bruins will face Missouri State, Fordham, and host Georgia from Feb. 6–8. The road stretch continues at the Samford Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. (Feb. 13–15) and the Bulldog Invitational at Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. (Feb. 20–21), giving the Bruins early tests against SEC competition.
The home portion of the schedule opens Feb. 27–March 1 at E.S. Rose Park with nonconference matchups against Central Michigan, Southern Indiana, and Ohio. Belmont will also make an in-state road trip to face Tennessee in Knoxville on March 3.
Missouri Valley Conference play begins March 6 as the Bruins host UIC, kicking off a conference schedule that includes key home series against Evansville, Drake, Illinois State, and Indiana State. Belmont will also travel to Bradley, Southern Illinois, Valparaiso, and Northern Iowa during league play.
A midweek highlight features the annual Battle of the Boulevard against Lipscomb on April 15 in Nashville.
The regular season concludes with a home series against Saint Louis on May 1–2, with the Missouri Valley Conference Championships scheduled for May 6–9.
Belmont returns a strong core led by second team All-American pitcher Maya Johnson, who also earned First Team All-Region, First Team All-MVC, and MVC Pitcher of the Year honors. Catcher Brenna Blume, a member of the All-MVC Defensive Team, anchors the defense.
The Bruins will appear throughout the season on ESPN+, with broadcast information announced at a later date. All game times are listed in Central Time and are subject to change.
Follow Belmont softball on social media - @BelmontSoftball on Twitter and @belmontsoftball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
