Essential Guide To The College World Series Omaha (2024)

Every June, the NCAA Men’s College World Series sweeps into Omaha. If you’ve never been to a game, it’s a whirlwind. Here’s the most comprehensive guide to going to a CWS came, with everything you need to know before you go, including tips for tailgating and getting game tickets, plus what to do in the event of bad weather.

UPDATE: This post was first published in 2019 and has been updated in April 2024.

When is the CWS this year?

The NCAA 2023 Men’s College World Series starts June 15, 2023. Games run through June 26. The games take place at Schwab Field, formerly known as TD Ameritrade Park. Opening Day Celebration takes place Thursday, June 15.

Never been to Omaha? Figure out what you can do between games with this guide to Omaha.

2024 College World Series game schedule

FYI: Omaha is on CST time, so College World Series game times are CST.

• Game 1 – June 14 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets 
• Game 2 – June 14 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 3 – June 15 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 4 – June 15 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 5 – June 16 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 6 – June 16 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 7 – June 17 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 8 – June 17 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 9 – June 18 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 10 – June 18 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 11 – June 19 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• Game 12 – June 19 at 6 p.m. Get Tickets
• June 20 – Bracket 1 and Bracket 2 games (if necessary)
• June 22 – Finals Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. Get Tickets
• June 23 – Finals Game 2 at 1 p.m. Get Tickets
• June 24 – Finals Game 3 (if necessary) at 6 p.m.

Where can you get tickets?

Reserved seats are available for games and start at about $10 Official tickets are available through Ticket Master, though the price adjusts the closer the game is. Tickets are on sale now.

Things to know about CWS General Admission tickets

General Admission tickets used to be the most affordable way to see a College World Series game. But General Admission tickets didn’t guarantee a seat. So, during the pandemic, officials switched to reserved seats only. And in 2022, that’s how it stayed. There’s no word on whether or not GA seats will return, but I hope so. They were pretty affordable!

Getting to a CWS game

Expect traffic (for Omaha standards) and some drivers getting confused by one-way streets in some parts of downtown Omaha. Parking is sparse and expensive, so I’d recommend finding alternative ways to get to a game. The CWS Stadium Circulator is a popular choice and it’s only 25 cents a ride. Pickup locations include: Some downtown hotels, the ballpark, Fan Fest, and spots in the Old Market.

Additionally, the Omaha bus service has standard routes that pass by Schwab Field. Look up that information here. Omaha has a bike-share program, just look for the blue bikes at a B-station throughout downtown Omaha. Omaha also has ride-share options like Lyft and Uber.

Where to park for the College World Series

I get it. You’re planning on driving (and maybe tailgating, right?). You’ll find parking for nearly 4,000 cars near TD Ameritrade Park, though some will be for season ticket and pass-holders. Public parking Lot A and the CHI Health Center garage are one of the closest options, and that will set you back about $10-$12 a car.  

You’ll find ADA parking there, and additional ADA parking stalls in Lot B. Tailgating is permitted in Schwab Field and CHI Health Center lots. Lots open at 8 a.m. and close about 90 minutes after the event. Additional parking that also allows tailgating can be found at Creighton University.

Motor homes or RVs are not allowed in most of the parking lots. You can find parking for RVs around the Omaha metro including, Haworth Park, Lake Cunningham, N.P. Dodge Park and West Omaha KOA. Outside of Omaha, there are spots at Horseshoe RV Park, Lake Manawa, Mahoney State Park,Riverwest Park, Walnut Creek Lake and Wilds RV and Golf Resort.

The City of Omaha has surface parking and parkings lots, as well as metered spots. Pricing varies. I recommend downloading the Park Omaha app and paying for your metered parking by phone.

Tailgating at the College World Series

You’ll find no shortage of tailgating opportunities in the blocks near the stadium. Be sure to know the rules or you can get into trouble (ie. open containers are prohibited and you will get ticketed).

Another thing to know is that the MECA-controlled lots near Schwab Field open two hours before CWS events start. (MECA is an acronym for Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, which manages the stadium).

The MECA parking lots are located:

• The closest lots to Schwab Field are Lot C, 10th and Mike Fahey streets, and Lot B, located along 10th Street between Mike Fahey and Cass streets.
• The other two lots are Lot A, just south of CHI Health Center and accessible by Riverfront Drive (by CHI Health Center), and Lot D, just north of CHI Health Center and accessible only by Abbott Drive.
• The MECA-controlled parking garage is just south of CHI Health Center on 10th Street.

The cost of parking in a CHI Health parking lot is $8 and garage parking is $12. You cannot do in-and-out parking.

Pro Tip: “Tailgating is pretty much in every direction from the stadium. You can also reserve a tailgating spot online.”  – Madonna B.

What to bring to a CWS game

Things ALLOWED at a game:

• Cameras are permitted, but the need to have a lense shorter than 1 inch and you can’t bring additional, detachable lenses.
• You can bring one clear plastic bottle for water, per guest. And it has to be 20 oz. or smaller.
• You bring must everything in a clear bag.
• If you bring a stroller, it has to be small enough to fit under your seat.

Things NOT ALLOWED at a game:

• Any purse or clutch larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches is not allowed. Absolutely no large purses, backpacks or fanny packs are allowed.
• Carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited at Schwab Field, even lawfully concealed firearms.
• Seat cushions with pockets
• Bubbles or bubble making machines
• Bottles or cans; Food or Drink coolers, Yeti cups or coolers
• Outside food or drink
• Frisbees or beach balls
• Large umbrellas
• Laser pointers
• Noise making devices of any kind (i.e. bells, whistles, horns, etc.)
• Fireworks
• Drones, anywhere on MECA campus
• Selfie sticks
• Hover boards
• Illegal drugs and alcohol
• Commercial signs or banners without the prior approval of Schwab Field
• Any item deemed to challenge public safety

Pro Tip: Don’t carry a big or heavy purse to the game. Most clear bags aren’t going to be heavy to begin with, but don’t overpack them. – Jamie H.

Pro Tip 2: Pack sunscreen or put it on before you go to the game. “A hat and sunglasses are essential.” – Jamie H.

Things to know about rain delays at the CWS

It never fails, there will be bad weather at some point during the run of the College World Series. If you have a rain delay, here’s what you should know:

• If you’re sitting in General Admission, talk to a staff member before – leaving the ballpark.
• Tickets are good for the game only. If that game gets a new time or day, your ticket is still only good for that game. If your game has started and then is delayed, your ticket will be marked and/or scanned for use during the new start time. Hold on to that ticket!
• No game is skipped. So if the game you’re attending is affected by bad weather, and the date is changed, the rescheduled game will still occur before any future games.  
• Because all parking passes are by day, if a game is moved to a new day, they also will be accepted. If a lot becomes full due to the change in date, an alternate lot will be made available upon your arrival at that gate.
• Stay in the know: Follow #CollegeWorldSeries or visit the CWS News page on NCAA.com/CWS for weather updates.

Eating and drinking at the game

You cannot bring in outside food and drinks to the College World Series. So, you’ll have to get your food there. There’s the usual hot dogs, burgers and pizza options, of course.

If you’re wondering where to eat or drink between games, check out this post with details on recommended restaurants and bars are near the stadium.

Things to know about Opening Weekend of CWS

Many people think Opening Weekend is THE time to go to a game at the College World Series. Every team and their fans are hopeful. It’s one of the busiest weekends in NoDo (North Downtown). It’s fun…unless you don’t like crowds.

Pro tip: “Opening Weekend!! It is the best because all teams and fans are in town and everyone is very excited. The tailgating is the best opening weekend.” – Madonna B.

Fan Fest Information

Fan Fest starts on Opening Weekend, too. Fan Fest is a free zone with games, merchandise and photo opportunities. This is a great place to visit with kids, even if you don’t have tickets to a game.

Things to know about Schwab Field

Schwab Field (formerly called TD Amertriade Park Omaha), 1200 Mike Fahey St., has been the home to the NCAA Men’s College World Series since 2011. The ballpark seats 24,000. If you want to see a layout of the ballpark, click here.

Is Schwab Field ADA accessible?

Yes. There are three accessible entrances. For an elevator, use Gate 2 near the ticket windows, or the Suite/Club entrance located south of Gate 1 on 13th Street. The Gate 3 is accessible by ramp and is located on the east side of the stadium.

Guide dogs are permitted in the park. It’s recommended that you bring proof of certification or a license for service animals. Notify your ticket seller at the time of purchase so you can get an aisle seat.

More College World Series Information

Need a hotel for your trip to the College World Series? Read this post of recommended hotels near the stadium.

If you want to start planning food options because you’re going to be traveling with your kiddos, begin with this post about family-friendly restaurants in downtown Omaha. For a more general overview of the best restaurants near the baseball stadium, visit this post.