CWS 2024: What you need to know about this year’s College World Series

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The 2024 College World Series is here and thousands of fans have begun to descend upon Omaha for “The Greatest Show on Dirt.”

There is an app available to help you navigate everything CWS, but here are some of the basics to get you started:

WHO’S COMING TO OMAHA?

Every team in this year’s College World Series comes from one of two conferences: the SEC or the ACC. Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas A&M represent the SEC, while Florida State, Virginia, North Carolina and North Carolina State come from the ACC.

MEET THE TEAMS

CWS 2024: Introducing the teams coming to Omaha for the College World Series

Get familiar with the teams who will compete for a national championship in Omaha this week.

FAN FEST

This free event is located just east of the stadium. Among this year’s attractions: a ferris wheel!

There’s also sports interactives, like the QB challenge, speed pitch, lacrosse, and a home run derby. You can also get your photo taken with the 2024 NCAA baseball championship trophy.

There’s also batting cages, plus Rawlings will be on site for anyone who wants to demo a new bat in a hitting tunnel. Or just stop by to take a photo with a giant inflatable baseball.

You can also get your hair spray-colored to match your team and grab a coupon for a future haircut. Or get an airbrushed tattoo of your team’s logo.

And of course, you’ll want to stop by the NCAA team store to check out authentic gear and official CWS 2024 keepsakes.

Fans are also invited to venture out a little to check out some new nearby attractions at The RiverFront.

“This year, families, fans, and teams can visit the Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing for the very first time,” Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said. “It just opened last year on August 18th and they’ll have a real treat walking through our new parks.”

FINALS SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 22

• 6:30 p.m. — Tennessee vs. Texas A&M (ESPN)

Sunday, June 23

• 1 p.m. — Tennessee vs. Texas A&M (ESPN)

Monday, June 24 (if necessary)

• 6:00 p.m. — Tennessee vs. Texas A&M (ESPN)

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available for purchase online via Ticketmaster — the featured ticketing partner of the NCAA for this year’s CWS. To buy tickets, click here. Prices vary based upon matchup and game time, and the cost will likely fluctuate as the week goes on, depending on how the tournament plays out and which teams advance.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

The City of Omaha has several parking and transportation options available to fans throughout the metro.

Event lots around Charles Schwab Field are $10 per day with a reservation and $15 per day without one. To make a reservation, click here, find the game you plan to attend, and follow the prompts from there.

The only covered garage that will be available for day-of parking is the one located on 13th Street and Capitol Avenue. There are three uncovered surface lots along Chicago Street, located underneath Interstate 480. All four of these options feature all-day parking.

For those looking to avoid the traffic close to Charles Schwab Field, there are bikes and electric scooters available for rent across the city. For scooters, download the Lime app and follow the prompts. For bicycles, download the BCycle app and do the same.

Buses will also be available to fans attending the CWS. Metro Transit and ORBT both have lines running throughout the city, and this year, they’re offering a particularly appealing option. Fans staying outside of the downtown area can park at Westroads Mall in west Omaha for free, hop on an ORBT bus, and be downtown in less than half an hour. To stay up-to-date on bus routes throughout the CWS, download the MyRide OMA app.

AAA is offering free roadside assistance to fans throughout the CWS. Anyone who may need help with a tire change, jumpstart, fuel delivery, or other vehicle issues can contact AAA Omaha at 402-516-1111 or find one of the many law enforcement officers who will be stationed around the stadium.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME

You can bring an empty 20-ounce (or smaller) colear plastic water bottle to fill up at water stations throughout the ballpark, but there’s lot of things you can’t bring inside:

• No weapons but also no fake weapon or objects resembling weapons are allowed in the stadium, or at Fan Fest and Baseball Village areas outside the stadium. “This includes permit holders possessing or carrying lawfully concealed weapons in or around the facility,” according to the Omaha Police news release.
• No alcohol, drugs, or illegal substances. As Charles Schwab Field Omaha is a smoke free facility, you’re also not allowed to bring in vaping materials or e-cigs.
• No professional cameras or any camera with a lens longer than three inches are allowed. You also can’t bring in detachable lenses, and camera bags must also be clear plastic.
• No audio or video recording equipment, including selfie sticks
• No laser-pointers or glow sticks
• Drones are prohibited throughout the ballpark area
• No bicycles, hoverboards, heelys, skateboards, or rollerblades
• No disruptive noises are allowed, including bells, whistles, and air horns
• No large or golf umbrellas, and no chairs
• No beach balls, bubbles, footballs, Frisbees, or balloons
• No fireworks or pyrotechnics
• No confetti, glitter, or aerosols
• No signs or banners
• No outside food or drink
• No abusive, foul, or disruptive language
• No obscene or indecent clothing
• No animals, with the exception of service animals
• No items deemed to compromise public safety

“Banned items must be disposed of before an individual may gain entrance to the ballpark,” according to an OPD release on CWS safety protocols.

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