Report: Discussions have 'ceased' on Nebraska holding a softball game at Memorial Stadium in 2025

Nebraska softball will reportedly not play at Memorial Stadium next season. On Thursday, KETV’s Lauren Michelson provided further details on this development.

“Nebraska athletics had ‘preliminary discussions’ to hold a softball game at Memorial Stadium in the spring of 2025 according to records obtained by our team,” Michelson wrote on X. “A spokesperson from NU said those discussions have now ‘ceased.’”

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The discussions reportedly began late last year after Nebraska softball saw a spike in ticket sales due to former Oklahoma softball pitcher Jordy Bahl’s transfer commitment. However, Michelson reports the conversations regarding the issue have ground to a halt.

This loss in momentum may be because Bahl suffered a torn ACL in Nebraska’s season opener this past season, causing attendance to decline. However, there are likely other factors at play, as well.

In October 2023, Nebraska’s Board of Regents approved a $450 million plan to renovate Memorial Stadium. Demolition work in the South Stadium was slated to begin after the 2024 season. Yet, in May, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen revealed new plans for the project.

“Dannen said the South Stadium will not be torn down following the 2024 season,” KETV reported. “Instead, the focus will be on designing and planning improvements for the East and West stadiums with a goal of work beginning no earlier than after the 2025 season.”

Nebraska softball finished the 2024 season with a 30-23 overall record and a 12-9 mark in conference play. The Cornhuskers failed to reach the NCAA Tournament after falling to Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

More on Memorial Stadium

If Nebraska had decided to have its softball program play at Memorial Stadium, it would have been a historic event. Memorial Stadium holds just over 85,000 people and Cornhusker fans aren’t shy to pack the place.

Nebraska football holds the NCAA record for most consecutive sellouts, currently at 396 straight. The streak began in November 1962.

“When you walk in here, you see nothing but red,” ESPN’s Chris Fowler said of Memorial Stadium. “I can’t recall walking into another stadium and seeing such an amazing, monochromatic scene and so much loyalty. When they’re stirred up when Nebraska is challenged – that’s when this crowd can become one of the most intimidating in college football.”

Unfortunately, Nebraska softball will not enjoy Memorial Stadium’s iconic home-field advantage next season. Nonetheless, perhaps softball will find its way into the stadium in the future.