OREGON AND WASHINGTON TO BRING HISTORIC BASEBALL RIVALRY TO BEND
One of the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running college baseball rivalries is coming to Central Oregon. The University of Oregon Ducks and University of Washington Huskies will meet in the inaugural Northwest Elite Collegiate Classic Presented by the Thomas Family Auto Group on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
The game will mark the first meeting between Oregon and Washington in any sport ever played in Bend and the first competition in Bend featuring two Big Ten Conference programs. The neutral-site fall matchup will give fans throughout Central Oregon a rare opportunity to see two major-conference rivals compete in one of the Northwest’s most historic baseball settings.
The Northwest Elite Collegiate Classic Presented by the Thomas Auto Group arrives as NCAA Division I baseball expands fall competition. Effective August 1, 2026, The NCAA increased the number of outside contests permitted during baseball’s nonchampionship segment from two to four. The change creates additional opportunities for programs to play meaningful fall contests in new markets and unique venues. Upcoming fall showcases around the country include Oregon’s 2026 Super Regional opponent Texas vs. Texas Tech in Round Rock, TX. Penn State, Florida State, Mississippi, LSU, Ohio State and Michigan are among others playing meaningful fall games.
A RIVALRY IN A NEW SETTING
“Vince Genna Stadium has been part of Bend’s baseball history for nearly 80 years, and hosting two programs with the tradition of Oregon and Washington is an exciting next chapter for this ballpark and our community. The Northwest Elite Collegiate Classic is about more than one baseball game—it’s about continuing to bring high-level baseball to Central Oregon and showing that Bend can be a destination for major collegiate sporting events. We believe this event can be the beginning of something really special for Bend and an experience our community can look forward to for years to come.”— Michael Hirko, General Manager, Bend Elks
“This is a great opportunity to bring Oregon baseball to Central Oregon, compete against an excellent program we know well and give fans in Bend a chance to see Big Ten baseball up close. We’re excited to be part of this important event. We have great fans in Central Oregon and our players, coaches and staff are looking forward to being with them at Vince Genna. — Mark Wasikowski, Head Coach, Oregon Baseball
““This will be a great day for baseball in the Northwest. Matching up two flagship institutions at a historic venue like Central Oregon’s Vince Genna Stadium is a great way for us grow the game, and bring excitement to all Husky fans and alumni in the area, and to baseball fans of all ages.”
— Eddie Smith, Head Coach, Wash Baseball
OREGON–WASHINGTON SERIES HISTORY
The Oregon–Washington is one of the most played rivalries in all of college baseball. The rivalry dates to 1910, when the programs first met. Oregon’s leads the all-time series lead at 164-142-1.
Since Oregon reinstated baseball for the 2009 season, the Ducks are 32-27 against Washington. The rivalry remains as intense as ever after moving from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, adding another chapter to a series that has spanned more than a century.
TICKETS
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 am, and will be available online at www.BendElks.com and at the Vince Genna Stadium ticket office.
SPONSORSHIPS
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for the inaugural event. For sponsorship information, contact Northwest Elite Sports Management at 909-696-0001.
ABOUT THE CASCADE FALL CLASSIC
The Northwest Elite Collegiate Classic Presented by the Thomas Family Auto Group, who owns and operates TS & S Ford in Madras and Subaru of Bend, is a neutral-site fall college baseball event created to bring high-level NCAA baseball to Central Oregon and to begin to establish Bend as a destination for major collegiate sporting events. The inaugural matchup features Big Ten rivals Oregon and Washington at Vince Genna Stadium, a Bend baseball landmark originally built in 1947.
