KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball opens its 2025 season in Clearwater, Florida, participating in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. The Lady Vols will play six games during the opening weekend with MLB Network set to broadcast UT’s Saturday, Feb. 8 primetime matchup against Northwestern at 7 p.m. ET.
The contest will be one of three games featured on the network throughout the day. Major League Baseball will team up with the NFCA and GameChanger to provide coverage.
Opening Day for the Big Orange will be Thursday, Feb. 6, as it faces Nebraska at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup will be the seventh all-time between the Lady Vols and Huskers, with UT owning a 5-1 edge in the series.
Tennessee will play a doubleheader on Feb. 7 and 8, battling Bethune-Cookman and Iowa on the tournament’s second day before facing Notre Dame and Northwestern on day three.
The Lady Vols close out the tournament on Feb. 9, against Pittsburgh.
It will be the second time in the last three seasons that the Lady Vols have participated in the season-opening tournament. In 2023, Tennessee was crowned tournament champion after going 3-0 with victories over Howard, Illinois and No. 6 Northwestern.
Tennessee’s full 2025 NFCA Leadoff Classic schedule can be viewed below. All times listed are in ET. Dates and times are subject to change.
2025 NFCA Leadoff Classic
February 6: vs. Nebraska at 7 p.m.
February 7: vs. Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m.
February 7: vs. Iowa at 7 p.m.
February 8: vs. Notre Dame at 1 p.m.
February 8: vs. Northwestern at 7 p.m. – MLB Network
February 9: vs. Pittsburgh at 11 a.m.
