(MURRAY, Ky.)-Murray State University will welcome the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament to Johnny Reagan Field from May 20-23, 2026, the conference announced Thursday. The tournament, presented by Credit Union 1, represents a historic achievement for the Racers program.
This marks the first Missouri Valley Conference championship event hosted by Murray State since the university joined the league in 2022. It’s also the first time the Racers have hosted a baseball championship tournament since 1991, making the announcement particularly significant for the program and community.
The hosting opportunity stems directly from Murray State’s breakthrough 2025 season, when the team captured both the MVC Regular Season and Tournament Championships. That historic campaign featured a school-record 44 wins and 17 conference victories, earning the Racers the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
“On behalf of our students, faculty and staff at Murray State University, we are excited to welcome the Missouri Valley Conference and our league partners to ‘The Finest Place We Know’ for this exciting tournament,” said Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson. “Our baseball team put our institution in the national spotlight last season, and we are thrilled to have that opportunity once again.”
The 2025 season culminated in an unprecedented postseason run that took Murray State all the way to Omaha for the College World Series. The Racers won both the Oxford Regional and Durham Super Regional championships, becoming the first MVC program to reach the College World Series since Missouri State accomplished the feat in 2003.
Director of Athletics Nico Yantko emphasized how the team’s success created this hosting opportunity. “Our baseball program brought a tremendous amount of exposure to Murray State last season, and their success has positioned our department to host this incredible event in partnership with the Missouri Valley Conference,” Yantko said. “We have already begun planning what we know will be a stellar event for our league and community.”
Head coach Dan Skirka expressed pride in bringing the tournament to Murray State. “Our historic run and investments made by our administration in the program have set the stage for this opportunity,” Skirka said. “We are eager to showcase our program, our community, and the unwavering support of Racer Nation. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience for our players, our fans, and the entire region.”
The team’s remarkable postseason journey generated massive national attention, producing 44.3 billion media impressions and $406 million in advertising value equivalency for the university. This exposure helped establish Murray State as “America’s Team” during their College World Series run.
Murray State Athletics will release additional tournament details, including hotel accommodations and gameday information, at a later date. Fans can stay updated on Racer Athletics through www.goracers.com and social media platforms including X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics), and Facebook.