Oklahoma City solidified its status as the "Softball Capital of the World" this week, when the city council unanimously approved a $25.4 million indoor facility at Devon Park.
The Oklahoma City softball complex breaks ground this summer, with completion scheduled for late 2027 ahead of the Women's College World Series and the 2028 Olympic softball tournament.
Oklahoma City-based STUDIO Architecture designed the two-story facility, which will sit on a parking lot west of Devon Park. The structure will be built into a hill on the west side of the property.
The indoor complex features two practice fields divided by a partition where teams can warm up before games. Each practice area includes a full infield with drop-down nets creating three batting cages and two pitching lanes.
First-floor amenities include two 800-square-foot locker rooms with 25 lockers each, plus restroom facilities with showers. Teams also get nutrition bars, an equipment room with laundry facilities, a 367-square-foot training room with six training tables, and an 806-square-foot weight room connected to a hydrotherapy room with four ice tubs.
The second floor houses a team meeting room with three rows of variable-height tables, a media room, administrative offices, and a central lobby.
A climate-controlled walkway will connect the practice facility to Devon Park stadium. The building additionally includes a secured, private entrance for softball teams.
Funding comes largely from a voter-approved bond, with the city receiving a final report from STUDIO Architecture in the coming weeks.
Devon Park currently hosts the NCAA Women's College World Series, the AUSL's Oklahoma City Spark, and USA Softball's Olympic trials.
SEC firepower will fuel the 2025 Women's College World Series (WCWS), as No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, No. 6 Texas, No. 7 Tennessee, and unseeded Ole Miss all advanced out of this weekend's Super Regionals to book trips to Oklahoma City.
The SEC's five teams ties the record for most WCWS-bound squads from a single conference, with the additions of former Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas notably boosting the league's WCWS roster this year.
Big Ten newcomers No. 9 UCLA and No. 16 Oregon plus the Big 12's No. 12 Texas Tech round out the eight teams entering the double-elimination tournament later this week, all battling for one of two spots in next week's best-of-three championship series.
Despite coming into the postseason as the No. 2 seed, the Sooners are still the team to beat as they hunt their fifth straight NCAA softball title.
With their 18th program ticket to OKC, Oklahoma's consistency in advancing to the national championship's last stop is dwarfed only by UCLA: The Bruins have appeared in 34 editions of the WCWS, missing the final cut only nine times in NCAA history.
In contrast, both Ole Miss and Texas Tech will be making their WCWS debuts after upsetting top seeds last weekend.
The Rebels, who first eliminated No. 13 Arizona in Regionals, outlasted No. 4 Arkansas to book their first-ever WCWS trip on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Red Raiders are flying high behind transfer pitcher and 2024 National Player of the Year NiJaree Canady, emerging victorious in their first-ever Super Regional with two straight wins over No. 5 Florida State.
How to watch the 2025 Women's College World Series
Oklahoma City veterans and debutants alike will begin their WCWS campaigns on Thursday, when all teams will contend in the tournament's initial four games.
Kicking off the 2025 WCWS is an all-SEC afternoon session, with No. 6 Texas facing No. 3 Florida at 12 PM ET before No. 7 Tennessee takes on No. 2 Oklahoma at 2:30 PM ET.
Evening play pits the newcomers against each other as Ole Miss clashes with No. 12 Texas Tech at 7 PM ET, with a Big Ten battle between No. 16 Oregon and No. 9 UCLA closing out the night at 9:30 PM ET.
Live coverage of the afternoon games will air on ESPN, with ESPN2 broadcasting the two evening matchups.