COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.—Ripken Baseball will host its first-ever national championship tournament in 2026, marking a major milestone in the company’s 20-plus-year history of youth baseball development.
The Ripken Nationals, a new 12U national championship event, will bring together the top teams from across the country for a five-day competition held June 30 to July 5 at Cooperstown All Star Village, one of the sport’s most iconic amateur sports destinations. The final Championship Game will be played on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Regional qualifiers for the event will begin in March 2026 and take place at several venues nationwide, including Ripken Experiences, Diamond Nation, Sports Force Parks, and Rocker B Ranch. Sixteen teams will ultimately earn a spot in the Ripken Nationals, with championship play offered at no cost to qualifying teams.
“Cooperstown has always been a special place for baseball, and now it will serve as the backdrop for a true national championship,” says Wade Martin, CEO of Baseball for Unrivaled Sports, the parent company of Ripken Baseball. “The Ripken Nationals will unite teams from across the country while giving kids and families memories that last a lifetime.”
The tournament is designed to deliver what organizers are calling an “unmatched” experience for athletes and their families. Alongside top-tier facilities and competition, the event will also feature national media exposure.
CBS Sports Network will air select qualifier games and the national championship, while GameChanger, the top-rated youth sports app and a DICK’S Sporting Goods brand, will serve as the digital streaming partner. GameChanger will stream select games and provide real-time stats, scores, and deliver highlights instantly after each contest.
Registration for Ripken Nationals qualifiers opens Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. All champions of the regional qualifiers will receive free entry to the national tournament in Cooperstown.
More details are available at www.RipkenBaseball.com/Nationals.
