Tennessee Baseball Faces Tough 2026 Schedule

Vols to take on top teams like UCLA, LSU, and Texas in quest for fourth College World Series appearance in six years

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:39pm

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The Tennessee Volunteers baseball team is gearing up for a challenging 2026 season as they look to make their fourth trip to the College World Series in six years. Under new head coach Josh Elander, the Vols will face a gauntlet of top programs including UCLA, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, and Texas. The team will also renew their rivalry with Vanderbilt and take on Oklahoma to close out the regular season.

Why it matters

Tennessee baseball has emerged as a national powerhouse in recent years, making three trips to the College World Series since 2021. The 2026 schedule will test the Vols' ability to maintain that level of success under a new head coach and against some of the top teams in the country. The outcome of these high-profile matchups could have major implications for the Vols' postseason aspirations and their standing among the elite programs in college baseball.

The details

Tennessee opens the season with a three-game series against Nicholls State before hosting UNC Asheville, Kent State, and Bellarmine. The Vols will then head to Arlington, Texas to take part in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, where they will face UCLA, Arizona State, and Virginia Tech. After a few more non-conference games, Tennessee will begin SEC play with a series at Georgia. Other key matchups include home series against LSU, Texas, and rival Vanderbilt, as well as a road trip to Mississippi State.

  • Tennessee opens the season on February 14, 2026.
  • The Amegy Bank College Baseball Series takes place March 7-9, 2026.
  • The SEC tournament begins on May 24, 2026.

The players

Josh Elander

The new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team, taking over for Tony Vitello.

Reese Chapman

A key player for the Vols who will be returning for the 2026 season.

Levi Clark

Another veteran player who will be counted on to lead Tennessee in 2026.

Manny Marin

A power-hitting infielder who had a breakout season for the Vols in 2025.

Charlie Condon

A former star at Georgia who was drafted third overall in 2024, and whose younger brother will be joining the Tennessee baseball team next year.

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What’s next

The Vols will look to win the SEC tournament championship, which begins on May 24, 2026, in order to secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament and make their fourth trip to the College World Series in six years.

The takeaway

Tennessee baseball has established itself as one of the premier programs in the country, but the 2026 schedule will put that status to the test. With a new head coach and a daunting slate of opponents, the Vols will need to dig deep and rely on their veteran leadership to navigate a challenging road back to Omaha.