JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The UCF baseball team will participate in the third annual Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida on Feb. 20-22, 2026. The three-day event will see the Knights facing off against Indiana, Notre Dame and the reigning national champion LSU Tigers.
Entering its third year, the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic aims to feature the nation’s premier college baseball programs while also bringing awareness to the Live Like Lou Foundation and their fight against ALS. In 2025, the tournament featured Alabama, Ohio State, NC State and Coastal Carolina, the 2025 national runner-up. The Crimson Tide took the 2025 title after going 3-0 in last year’s tournament.
On day one, Friday, Feb. 20, the Knights will face the Fighting Irish at 6 p.m. Notre Dame finished its 2025 campaign with a 32-21 overall record and a 14-16 record in the ACC. Day two, Saturday, Feb. 21, will see the Black and Gold compete against Indiana at 4 p.m. The Hoosiers finished the 2025 season with a visit to the Big Ten Tournament after going 16-14 in the conference and 32-24 overall. To wrap up their visit, UCF will face LSU, the defending Men’s College World Series champions. The Tigers dominated in 2025 with a 53-15 overall record, including a 10-1 run in the 2025 NCAA Div. I Baseball Championship and a sweep of Coastal Carolina in the College World Series Final.
The full schedule of the 2025 Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic
Friday, Feb. 20: LSU vs. Indiana, 2 p.m.; UCF vs. Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21: Notre Dame vs. LSU, noon; UCF vs. Indiana, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22: Indiana vs. Notre Dame, 11 a.m.; LSU vs. UCF, 3 p.m.
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time and subject to change.
"This year's event is shaping up to be the best one yet, with four top teams, including the defending national champs,” said Nathan Wooldridge, Peak Events vice president. “In addition, a newly renovated VyStar Ballpark, which has become one of the top ballparks in the country and a premier early-season destination for some of college baseball's best teams. We appreciate the partnership with the Jacksonville JumboShrimp and the Live Like Lou Foundation in helping us continue to raise the profile of this event and to expand the impact of the Live Like Lou Jax Classic across college baseball and the ALS community."
Tickets can be purchased on a per-day basis or as a weekend package in select seating sections. Both reserved and general admission options are available at www.peak.events. On the same site, fans traveling to Jacksonville can also find discounted hotel rates. Plus, all-inclusive packages are available, including lodging, game tickets, and in-stadium hospitality.
All six games of the Jax Classic are set to be broadcast exclusively via D1Baseball.com.
The Knights finished their 2025 campaign with a 29-26 overall record and a 9-21 Big 12 conference record.
UCF’s full 2026 schedule is expected to be announced in the coming months.
About the Live Like Lou Foundation
Named after Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, the Live Like Lou Foundation is a national nonprofit with a vision to leave ALS better than we found it. Inspired by Gehrig’s example of courage, determination, and gratitude, Live Like Lou supports people living with ALS through volunteer service, financial grants, and college scholarships for dependents in ALS families; funds early-career scientists studying ALS; and raises national awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease. The foundation honors Lou’s legacy as we inspire hope for a world where ALS is no longer fatal. Learn more at livelikelou.org.
About Peak Events, LLC
Peak Events, LLC, a sister company of Peak Sports MGMT, is an event management firm specializing in collegiate sporting events based out of Allen, Texas. Current properties for Peak Events include the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic, Live Like Lou Las Vegas College Baseball Classic, Frisco College Baseball Classic, Round Rock College Baseball Classic, and Discs at the Diamond. Find more info at www.jaxcbc.com or www.peak.events.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
