Collegiate Softball Tournament Returns to Johnson City

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The Big Region Preseason Invitational collegiate softball tournament is returning to Johnson City's Winged Deer Park on February 7-8, 2026. The tournament will feature 10 teams from across the Southeast, including schools from Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Games will run from 10 a.m. to the evening, with admission ranging from $10 to $20.

Why it matters

The return of this annual collegiate softball tournament is an important event for the Johnson City community, drawing teams and fans from across the region and providing an economic boost through tourism and local spending. The tournament also serves as an early-season showcase for the participating teams as they prepare for their regular seasons.

The details

The 10 teams competing in the 2026 Big Region Preseason Invitational are: Carson-Newman University, Concord University, Converse University, Davis & Elkins College, Emory & Henry University, Glenville State University, King University, Lincoln Memorial University, Mars Hill University, and Tusculum University. The tournament will run from 10 a.m. to the evening on both February 7 and February 8, with admission prices ranging from $10 to $20.

• The Big Region Preseason Invitational is scheduled for February 7-8, 2026.
• Games will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the evening on both days.