The annual NCAA Men's College World Series (MCWS) returns this year with a reimagined Opening Practice Day filled with free, family-friendly activities, prize giveaways, photo opportunities and the chance to see fan-favorite teams on the Charles Schwab Field Omaha diamond before games officially begin.

Open Practice Day starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 15 with a series of open team practices. Fans will flock from across the country to see each of the eight MCWS teams in their final hour of preparation before games commence on Friday, June 16. The open team practice schedules will be released closer to the event date.

The MCWS Fan Fest presented by Capital One will also mark its return to Omaha on June 15 at 11 a.m. This year, interactive experiences, photo opportunities and games will offer free entertainment to visitors outside of Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

• Team practices at Charles Schwab Field Omaha
  • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., CST

• Fan Fest presented by Capital One; (Outside Gate 3 and Mike Fahey Street)
  • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., CST

"The College World Series of Omaha listened to the feedback of our coaches and student-athletes and found a great way of re-imagining the opening day of the Men's College World Series," said NCAA Managing Director of Championships Anthony Holman. "This new format is the best of both worlds – it allows fans a sneak peek at the teams while still reducing the time commitment for teams just before they begin competing for a national championship."

To abbreviate the length of Opening Day obligations for student-athletes, teams will now attend an off-site event in their honor for an evening of food and entertainment following Thursday's open practices. This is a transition away from previous, public festivities that would often result in 12+ hour days for many of the MCWS teams.

"We are excited for this new chapter in the MCWS Opening Celebration Day tradition," said Amy Hornocker, Executive Director of CWS of Omaha, Inc., which serves as the local organizing entity. "We believe it considers the long hours committed by these student-athletes to assure accessibility to fans, while also providing a worthy commemoration of their hard work and successful seasons."

Public parking is available for Open Practice Day in the Charles Schwab Field Omaha/CHI Health Center Omaha surface parking lots, at Creighton University, or in downtown Omaha's various city-owned lots or garages.

The 2023 Men's College World Series starts Friday, June 16 and runs through Monday, June 26, if necessary. NCAA regional and super regional tournaments take place in early June. For more information about Open Practice Day and all MCWS activities and tickets, visit ncaa.com/mcws.