A new selection process is being unveiled that would allow baseball fans to apply for College World Series season tickets through a random drawing, it was announced Tuesday by CWS of Omaha Inc., the NCAA and TD Ameritrade Park.
Those interested have until March 1 to apply at NCAA.com/CWSTickets and CWSomaha.com. The fans selected via the random drawing will be eligible to buy up to four season tickets.
According to Carol Foreman, ticket manager for CWS Inc. of Omaha, the number of tickets available for the selection process is yet to be determined and will be based on existing season ticket-holder renewals. That process runs through Feb. 1, and Foreman said the annual renewal rate is generally in the 96 percent to 99 percent range.
Most of the tickets for new applicants will be in the 300 level at TD Ameritrade Park with the ability to request seat relocations in future years.
The 2018 CWS is scheduled for June 16 through either June 26 or 27. The college baseball tournament has been held in Omaha since 1950, moving from Rosenblatt Stadium to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011.
The College World Series a year ago was able to clear its previous waiting list — frozen since 2003 — when the NCAA turned over 700 tickets that previously had been held either for advance single-session sales or NCAA use. A little more than 300 buyers snapped up tickets, with some declining because of changed circumstances or increased costs over the years.
The new process replaces the former waiting list. Because demand is expected to be high, the random selection is designed to provide all fans equal opportunity to tickets, regardless of whether they can apply as soon as the application opens.
“Based on feedback from season ticket-holders and fans, we thought this would be a great way to engage the broadening fan interest in the CWS and provide a fair way for baseball fans across the country to access tickets.” said Herb Hames, ticket chairman for CWS of Omaha Inc.
If selected, a person will receive email notice by March 6 and be able to purchase up to four season tickets. Ticket prices range from $425 to $493, plus applicable taxes and fees. If fans purchase season tickets, those seats become renewable every year.
“We’re already seeing a good response,” Foreman said Tuesday. “Once we get through that deadline (for renewals), then we’ll have a better idea what we’ll have available.”
