Upcoming Event: Softball versus Santa Clara vs. Southern Utah on February 6, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Softball
10:30 a.m.
vs Santa Clara vs. Southern Utah
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
2026 schedule released by Hays
12/1/2025 1:00:00 PM | Softball
GCU's 1st season in MW provides challenges, opportunity
Grand Canyon softball head coach Shanon Hays released the 2026 schedule, including the program's first conference season in the Mountain West.
Under the leadership of Hays, the Lopes went 80-17 in WAC play, winning three regular-season titles and four consecutive WAC Tournament championships over his first four GCU seasons.
A new challenge awaits in the Mountain West, where the conference should have the opportunity to receive multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament due to the strength of the conference's top teams.
"We have a good schedule, with a lot of games on the slate," Hays said. "We think we have a well-balanced schedule with our nonconference opponents that should prepare for us for Mountain West play."
The first four weekends of the season will be at home for the Lopes, as they host four tournaments, bringing in teams from across the country. GCU will play two rematches with 2025 NCAA Tournament opponent Santa Clara on the first weekend, providing for instant sparks in early February. The Lopes beat the Broncos 9-4 in an elimination game of the Tucson Regional in May.
On the third weekend, GCU hosts North Florida, a mid-major powerhouse a year ago when it reached the Columbia Regional final before losing to No. 8 host South Carolina. That same weekend, the Lopes play UC Santa Barbara twice. The Gauchos also made their regional final in Los Angeles before losing to No. 9 host UCLA. UCSB knocked off San Diego State and Arizona State to get to the regional final as the regional's fourth seed, a similar feat to what GCU pulled off in the same regional in 2024.
Grand Canyon will face top-100 RPI opponents in Notre Dame and Wisconsin twice apiece over the final two weekends of nonconference play. GCU will play both in the fifth and final nonconference weekend in San Diego. Co-hosted by San Diego State and San Diego, GCU will play five games over three days on March 5-7.
Overall, the Lopes have 10  top-100 RPI teams on the schedule. Fourteen of their opponents reside within the top 110 teams in last season's final RPI ranking (No. 101 Harvard, No. 106 Minnesota, No. 109 UC Santa Barbara and No. 110 Utah State.
GCU will play in four marquee midweeks throughout the season, hosting Minnesota (2/26), Oklahoma State (3/17), and Arizona State (4/14). The final midweek is on the road at Arizona (3/24).Â
The Lopes swept Arizona State home and away last season, falling in extras to Arizona at home.
"Those in-state games are great for us," said Hays. "The fans pack the park every time, they have a rivalry feel to them, and it shows off the incredible softball in the state of Arizona. It is always important to make sure those games are on the schedule."
Mountain West play begins the weekend of March 13-15 at New Mexico, concluding with the Mountain West Softball Championship May 6-9 in Reno, Nevada.
The Lopes host 11 games in conference, hitting the road for 14. Home series include San José State, Nevada, Boise State, and UNLV. Grand Canyon has road series at New Mexico, Utah State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State.
In 2025, San Diego State finished the year at 30 in the RPI winning the Mountain West Championship to go to the NCAA Tournament. They were bounced from the Los Angeles Regional after beating Arizona State in the first round. The Aztecs are expected to be near the top of the conference once again in 2026.
Nevada was one of the larger tournament snubs after winning the Mountain West regular season title, going 41-14, and finishing the year at 40 in the RPI. The home series vs. the Wolf Pack will be one to circle on the calendar, April 2-4.
"We are excited for the challenges and opportunities the Mountain West will bring," said Hays. "Playing one game each day of the weekend will be an adjustment, but we will be ready to go."
With the addition of Grand Canyon, many national outlets expect the Mountain West to provide multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Grand Canyon returns seven starters in the lineup, four pitchers that contributed significant innings last season, a talented freshman class that expects to immediately impact the opening day roster, and three transfers that can take the team to the next level offensively and defensively. Come support the Lopes starting in early February at GCU Softball Stadium.
For the entire schedule, click here.
Â
Under the leadership of Hays, the Lopes went 80-17 in WAC play, winning three regular-season titles and four consecutive WAC Tournament championships over his first four GCU seasons.
A new challenge awaits in the Mountain West, where the conference should have the opportunity to receive multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament due to the strength of the conference's top teams.
"We have a good schedule, with a lot of games on the slate," Hays said. "We think we have a well-balanced schedule with our nonconference opponents that should prepare for us for Mountain West play."
The first four weekends of the season will be at home for the Lopes, as they host four tournaments, bringing in teams from across the country. GCU will play two rematches with 2025 NCAA Tournament opponent Santa Clara on the first weekend, providing for instant sparks in early February. The Lopes beat the Broncos 9-4 in an elimination game of the Tucson Regional in May.
On the third weekend, GCU hosts North Florida, a mid-major powerhouse a year ago when it reached the Columbia Regional final before losing to No. 8 host South Carolina. That same weekend, the Lopes play UC Santa Barbara twice. The Gauchos also made their regional final in Los Angeles before losing to No. 9 host UCLA. UCSB knocked off San Diego State and Arizona State to get to the regional final as the regional's fourth seed, a similar feat to what GCU pulled off in the same regional in 2024.
Grand Canyon will face top-100 RPI opponents in Notre Dame and Wisconsin twice apiece over the final two weekends of nonconference play. GCU will play both in the fifth and final nonconference weekend in San Diego. Co-hosted by San Diego State and San Diego, GCU will play five games over three days on March 5-7.
TOP-100 RPI
|
|||
| Opponent | 2025 RPI | Location | |
 Arizona |
13 | Away | |
 Oklahoma State |
21 | Home | |
 San Diego State |
30 | Away | |
 (1).png){kind=small} North Florida |
36 | Home | |
 Arizona State |
37 | Home | |
 Nevada |
40 | Away | |
 Wisconsin |
59 | Both | |
 Fresno State |
64 | Away | |
 Boise State |
81 | Home | |
 Notre Dame |
97 | Neutral | |
Overall, the Lopes have 10  top-100 RPI teams on the schedule. Fourteen of their opponents reside within the top 110 teams in last season's final RPI ranking (No. 101 Harvard, No. 106 Minnesota, No. 109 UC Santa Barbara and No. 110 Utah State.
GCU will play in four marquee midweeks throughout the season, hosting Minnesota (2/26), Oklahoma State (3/17), and Arizona State (4/14). The final midweek is on the road at Arizona (3/24).Â
The Lopes swept Arizona State home and away last season, falling in extras to Arizona at home.
"Those in-state games are great for us," said Hays. "The fans pack the park every time, they have a rivalry feel to them, and it shows off the incredible softball in the state of Arizona. It is always important to make sure those games are on the schedule."
Mountain West play begins the weekend of March 13-15 at New Mexico, concluding with the Mountain West Softball Championship May 6-9 in Reno, Nevada.
The Lopes host 11 games in conference, hitting the road for 14. Home series include San José State, Nevada, Boise State, and UNLV. Grand Canyon has road series at New Mexico, Utah State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State.
In 2025, San Diego State finished the year at 30 in the RPI winning the Mountain West Championship to go to the NCAA Tournament. They were bounced from the Los Angeles Regional after beating Arizona State in the first round. The Aztecs are expected to be near the top of the conference once again in 2026.
Nevada was one of the larger tournament snubs after winning the Mountain West regular season title, going 41-14, and finishing the year at 40 in the RPI. The home series vs. the Wolf Pack will be one to circle on the calendar, April 2-4.
"We are excited for the challenges and opportunities the Mountain West will bring," said Hays. "Playing one game each day of the weekend will be an adjustment, but we will be ready to go."
With the addition of Grand Canyon, many national outlets expect the Mountain West to provide multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Grand Canyon returns seven starters in the lineup, four pitchers that contributed significant innings last season, a talented freshman class that expects to immediately impact the opening day roster, and three transfers that can take the team to the next level offensively and defensively. Come support the Lopes starting in early February at GCU Softball Stadium.
For the entire schedule, click here.
Â
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