OKC To Play Host To 2021 Big 12 Softball Tournament Championship

For the first time since 2019, the Big 12 softball tournament makes its return to the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium here in Oklahoma City.

The tournament kicks off Friday. Fans will finally get to experience renovations the stadium has made since then.

Phase 4 of USA Softball’s stadium renovations were completed just before the scheduled opening day of the 2020 season. The only problem? The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first thing fans will see as they enter through the gates is a brand-new, 4,000-seat upper deck section.  

This year’s Big 12 tournament will be limited to 50 percent capacity, but the additional space means more fans will be able to attend.

The top six teams will compete Friday in what’s known as pool play.

Pool play will be followed by bracket play Saturday, which leads up to the Big 12 Championship Game.

The tournament’s top two seeds are Oklahoma’s own.

The Oklahoma State Cowgirls are the No. 2 seed. They will play 2 games Friday. They open the tournament against the Texas Longhorns at 11 a.m. and will then take the field again against Iowa State at 5 p.m.

The Oklahoma Sooners are not only the No. 1 seed in the tournament but also in the nation. They will take on the Baylor Bears at 2 p.m. and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to the start of Game 1, USA Softball updated its policy regarding COVID-19 safety. Based on the Center for Disease Control’s new guidelines, the organization decided to make mask wearing in the stands a recommendation. It was previously considered a requirement.

Single-session tickets are on sale now. They will be available until 50 percent capacity is reached.