ORANGEBURG, SC (May 6, 2026) – Due to anticipated inclement weather in the Orangeburg area, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) has announced schedule adjustments for the 2026 CIAA Softball Championship at Orangeburg Recreation Park. 

Thursday’s Opening Round contests will now be played across four fields at 5 p.m. 

#1N Bowie State vs. #4S Winston-Salem State 

#1S Claflin vs. #4N Lincoln (Pa.) 

#2N Bluefield State vs. #3S Shaw 

#2S Fayetteville State vs. #3N Virginia Union  

The second round of games and the beginning of the Elimination Round will begin at 7 p.m.  

Updated championship schedule information is listed below: 

Thursday 
5 p.m. 
7 p.m. 

Friday 
1 p.m. 
1 p.m. 
3 p.m. 
3 p.m. 
5 p.m. 

Saturday 
1 p.m. 
4 p.m. (if necessary) 

The championship will continue to follow a double elimination format, with games streamed live on the CIAA Sports Network. 

Fans are encouraged to visit theciaa.com and follow the CIAA’s official social media channels for additional championship updates and information. 

Media Contact: 
Anna M. Butzlaff 
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 
abutzlaff@theciaa.com 

About the CIAA 
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University (PA), Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.