This weekend, the NCAA softball regional will take place at the Mizzou Softball Stadium, bringing in visitors from all over. The Tigers have been hosting this event for the third time in four seasons. The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau believes that hosting events like this is beneficial for tourism, as it brings in visitors during this weekend and showcases Columbia as a place where high-level sports happen. Tourists’ spending has a positive impact on small businesses, supporting a great quality of life year-round.
In addition to the regional, there are also graduations happening at Mizzou Arena this weekend. This marks high school graduation for all area schools, making it an exciting time for families and students. Jason Paetzold, owner of Bud’s Classic BBQ in downtown Columbia, is looking forward to seeing fans from different teams visiting his restaurant throughout the weekend. He notes that softball fans and SEC teams tend to travel well, so he hopes to see a mix of Mizzou fans and fans from other teams come through his doors.
The games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with Chuckie Kempf and Monica Abbott providing commentary. More information about the regional’s schedule can be found online, as well as a list of graduation times for those interested in attending both events.
