We are nine days away from the start of the 2025 college baseball season. Next Friday will begin the long journey for all teams and the hope is that the season ends in Omaha, Nebraska in mid-June for the annual College World Series. Before we get that far ahead, each conference will hold its conference tournament in mate May leading to the selection of the NCAA field.
In past seasons, the ACC has used a round-robin format for their conference baseball tournament with each group being decided by where they finished in the standings. Each team was guaranteed a certain amount of games with the top teams advancing. This season, however, the conference has decided to change its format to single elimination.
ACC alters baseball tournament format
On Wednesday, the ACC announced that they are changing the format of their conference tournament to a 16-team, single-elimination format. How will that work? The top four seeds will get a double-bye into the quarterfinal round on Thursday and Friday while the No. 5-8 seeds will earn a bye while the 10-16 will play on the opening day of the tournament, which is scheduled to be played this season in Durham, N.C. from May 20-25 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The 16-Team Single Elimination ACC Baseball Championship Bracket 🏆
— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) February 5, 2025
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Not that you need to be reminded, but this year, Stanford and California are first-year ACC members and will bring two very good programs into a conference already stacked with very good programs. This format change was proposed by the conference’s coaches and got support from the players.
“There’s once again tremendous excitement surrounding ACC Baseball and today’s announcement will bring an improved championship experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans alike,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips. “Nationally, the ACC is once again well-represented in the preseason polls and award lists. After what we know will be a highly competitive regular season, we look forward to showcasing all 16 baseball teams in Durham this May.”
Virginia Tech begins the 2025 season at home next Friday, hosting Bucknell, and their first ACC series is March 7-9 against Georgia Tech at home.