Alongside the announcement made by the organization Tuesday, Nov. 10, the UCF softball team has revealed its five-game slate for the 2027 Clearwater Invitational.
The Knights, on the heels of earning their first winning record in the tournament in program history in 2026, are returning to Clearwater for the sixth consecutive season and will play powerhouse teams throughout the weekend, facing off against Virginia Tech, Liberty, Florida State, South Carolina and Texas A&M.
From the Knights scheduled opponents, four out of the five teams earned bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, where Virginia Tech, Florida State, South Carolina and Texas A&M were contenders in the Regional round. Collectively, the five teams generated a 199-97 record in 2026, producing a .672 win percentage, led by Florida State with 52 wins.
Feb. 19, 2027 – vs. Virginia Tech – 1 p.m.
UCF will open up play in Clearwater against Virginia Tech.
The teams will meet again for the first time since April 2022, when the then-No. 5 Hokies took two wins home from the three game series in Orlando. Though UCF dropped the first two games, they outlasted Virginia Tech in 11 innings to clinch a top five win by a 5-4 final score in the series finale on April 4th.
Virginia Tech had a strong start to its 2026 season, with six consecutive wins to begin the slate. The winning streak kicked off at the Gamecock Invitational with a victory against then-No. 14 South Carolina and continued with another win against South Carolina later in the invitational. The Gamecocks had another set of notable wins with back-to-back victories over then-No. 12 Georgia.
The team’s season-long efforts ultimately earned them a ticket to the 2026 NCAA Tournament before falling to the LSU Tigers in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.
Feb. 19, 2027 – vs. Liberty – 4 p.m.
For their first matchup since 2025, Liberty and UCF will face off again on neutral ground, with UCF looking to build upon an all-time 7-1 record against the Flames.
Liberty had notable victories in the 2026 CUSA Softball Tournament against Louisiana Tech seeded number seven in the tournament, Western Kentucky seeded number two and Jacksonville State seeded number one. These wins are highlighted by the Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky games with two shoutout wins for Flames.
During the 2026 season, Liberty had an 18-9 conference record. The record consists of 7 conference series wins with victories over Middle Tennessee, UTEP, Delaware, Missouri State, Western Kentucky, FIU and Kennesaw State. The Flames completed a 3-0 sweep against Kennesaw State, UTEP and Middle Tennessee.
Feb. 20, 2027 – vs. Florida State – 10 a.m.
The Knights’ will face a familiar opponent on day two of invitational play against Florida State.
The Florida teams will pick up right where they left off with a 2026 NCAA Regional rematch. After a 2-1 loss to then-No. 7 Florida State, UCF earned a program-defining 4-2 win in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional’s winner-take-all Game 7 to clinch the second NCAA Super Regional berth in program history. The game broke the dry spell and marked the Knights’ first win against Florida State in five years.
The Seminoles kicked off their 52-10 overall 2026 season with six consecutive wins before falling short to the then-No.1 Texas Tech Red Raiders during their first game of the 2026 Clearwater Invitational. Their regular season can be highlighted by a rivalry win against then-No. 8 Florida and then-No. 7 UCLA. Florida State swept the ACC Tournament, earning them an automatic bid and hosting privileges for the NCAA Regional Tournament.
Feb. 21, 2027 – vs. South Carolina – 9 a.m.
UCF then will meet another NCAA Tournament contender during its stay in Clearwater. South Carolina made its second straight appearance in the tournament last year after a 32-28 overall record.
South Carolina took home a rivalry win against Clemson during the 2026 season. Coming back from a 8-0 loss against their fellow South Carolina team earlier in the season at home. Their season is also highlighted by a shoutout win against then-No.12 Mississippi State. The Gamecocks continued competitive game play throughout the season with a 5-1 victory against then-No. 7 Tennessee.
The Gamecocks and the Knights will play against each other for the first time since 2024, and the meeting also represents a rematch from when the two squads met during the 2023 NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
Feb. 21, 2027 – vs. Texas A&M – 12 p.m.
For the Knights’ final contest of the invitational, they will take on Texas A&M.
Texas A&M finished 2026 with a 38-19 overall record and 16-8 conference record. The team earned another berth in the NCAA Tournament, marking its 36th all-time postseason appearance. The Aggies had the No. 15 overall seed in the tournament and earned hosting privileges for the Regional round.
Texas A&M had several notable wins during its 2026 season. With victories against Texas and Oklahoma, the Aggies clinched two wins against then-No. 1 teams. In series play, Texas A&M won against then-No. 11 Georgia and swept then-No. 14 Mississippi State in a 3-0 series win.
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 website at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
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 website at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.