CWS teams to practice on new Creighton baseball field boosted with state grant

OMAHA — Built with the help of a Nebraska state grant, a new Creighton University baseball practice field is now ready. 

The celebratory reveal of the 193,000-square-foot field came two days before Friday’s start of the 2026 NCAA Men’s College World Series. The all-turf field at Florence Boulevard and Cuming Street in downtown Omaha will also serve as the principal location for teams preparing to compete in the CWS.

A $30 million shovel-ready grant from the State of Nebraska helped build the baseball field, along with the Creighton Softball Stadium completed last year. Other donors included the College World Series of Omaha Inc.

The design of the baseball practice field is intended to look like the Charles Schwab Field a few blocks to the east to “better orient visiting teams preparing to compete in the ‘Greatest Show on Dirt,’” according to a Creighton statement. Schwab is also Creighton’s home baseball field.

The baseball practice and softball fields, as well as a 40,000-square-foot team facility that’s under construction, are part of the $300 million Fly Together donor-funded project that is transforming the private university’s recreational and athletic facilities.

Numerous officials joined the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton’s president, at Wednesday’s event. Gov. Jim Pillen, Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. and former Nebraska state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan together threw celebratory pitches.

Catchers at Wednesday’s event included players from the Millard Elite National 14-and-under youth baseball team, the Omaha Stampede Navy 11-and-under team and Hillside Little League Mariners 11-and-under team.

The new baseball field will also be available for community baseball events and to students through Creighton intramural and club sports.