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Marc Lancaster
Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
North Carolina and Oklahoma have been a level above the rest of the field during the 2026 College World Series, so it’s only fitting they face off for the national title.
The fifth-seeded Tar Heels and unseeded Sooners each navigated the main bracket without a loss and will now play a best-of-three series to crown a champion.
WATCH: College World Series finals live on fubo (free trial)
UNC is back in the finals for the first time since losing in back-to-back trips in 2006 and 2007. Only Florida State (24 appearances) has been to the College World Series more times than North Carolina (12 before this year) without winning it all.
The Sooners have two trophies in the case already, but the most recent came in 1994. OU’s previous title came in the tournament’s second year at its now-permanent home in Omaha, 1951.
All of which is to day, whoever emerges victorious this weekend will cherish the title. Here’s when and where to watch every game.
Each game of the 2026 College World Series finals will start at a different time. See the full schedule below:
* If necessary
Games 1 and 3 (if necessary) of the College World Series finals will be broadcast by ESPN, while Game 2 will be on ABC. Karl Ravech will have play-by-play duties on each game, with analysis from Chris Burke and Kyle Peterson.
There will also be an alternate broadcast on ESPNU for each game, featuring Mike Monaco, Ben McDonald, Mike Rooney and Jack DeLongchamps. The network says that presentation “will blend analysis, special guests, fan interaction and behind-the-scenes storytelling.”
Fans can stream either feed live via the ESPN app or fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
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Here’s the path that brought us to the CWS finals this year:
Here are the last 10 College World Series winners and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Marc Lancaster joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working closely with TSN for five years as an editor for the company now known as Stats Perform. He previously worked as an editor at The Washington Times, AOL’s FanHouse.com and the old CNNSportsIllustrated.com, and as a beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and University of Georgia football and women’s basketball. A Georgia graduate, he has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2013.
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