The best weeks of the summer are back in Omaha! Charles Schwab Field is about to become the center of the college baseball universe. First, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament takes over from May 19 – May 24, 2026, closely followed by the legendary Men’s College World Series (MCWS) running from June 12 – June 22, 2026.
If you’ve ever tried to navigate North Downtown during these tournaments, you know that finding a parking spot can feel like trying to hit a 100-mph fastball.
To save you from the dreaded “loop of doom” around Cuming Street, we’ve put together the ultimate parking and transit guide for the 2026 games. Know where to go before you leave the house!
1. MECA Campus Parking (The Official Stadium Lots)
The MECA campus—which includes Charles Schwab Field Omaha and CHI Health Center Omaha—features roughly 4,000 parking stalls.
Key Timing & Rules
- Opening Hours: All stadium lots open at 8:00 AM on MCWS game days.
- Closing Hours: Lots close strictly 90 minutes after the final game ends.
- No In/Out Privileges: Once you leave, you pay again to get back in.
- Overnight Parking: Absolutely prohibited in all MECA-controlled lots.
Parking Rates & Lot Breakdown
| Lot / Facility | Big Ten Tournament Rate | MCWS Rate | Access Type |
| Surface Lot A | $10 | $15 | Public (First-come, first-served) |
| MECA Garage | $15 | $15 | Public (First-come, first-served) |
| Lots B & D | Standard Event Rates | Pass-Holders Only | Permit Required for MCWS |
| Bus Parking | $25 | $25 | When applicable |
| ADA Parking | FREE | FREE | First-come, first-served (Valid placard req.) |
Payment Options: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
♿ ADA Note: Accessible parking is free of charge in all MECA-managed lots (A, B, D, and the garage) on a first-come, first-served basis for vehicles displaying a current state-issued hangtag or license plate.
2. Major Road Closures to Avoid (MCWS Only)
The Omaha Police Department and the City of Omaha implement strict traffic patterns during the MCWS. If you are navigating the area, keep these closures in mind:
Closed 2 Hours Before First Game Until 1 Hour After Last Game:
- 13th Street: Closed from Cass Street to Cuming Street.
- Mike Fahey Street: Closed from 13th to 14th Street (Open for ADA drop-offs only).
- Cass Street Traffic: Any vehicle traveling west on Cass Street, west of 12th Street, will be forced onto the interstate.
Closed for the Entire Duration of the MCWS:
- Mike Fahey Street: Closed from 10th to 12th Street.
- 12th Street (Northbound): No through traffic from Cass Street (open only for Lot B pass-holders).
3. Alternative Parking: Reservations & Hidden Lots
If you don’t want to risk the stadium lots being full, you have some great alternative options:
🅿️ Park Omaha (Lock In Your Spot Ahead of Time)
Want to skip the game-day stress? You can reserve a parking space right now in one of Park Omaha’s public parking garages or surface lots downtown using the ParkMobile app or website.
- Download ParkMobile (note: this is separate from the standard Park Omaha app).
- Hit the “Reserve” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Search “Charles Schwab Field” and select the event/game day you are attending.
- Pick your lot, pay in advance, and drive straight to your guaranteed spot!
🎓 Creighton University Parking
Creighton opens its campus lots to tournament fans. Tailgating is permitted here, but keep the RV at home—no motor homes or recreational vehicles are allowed due to lot size constraints. Lots are actively patrolled during game sessions.
📍 NODOPA (North Downtown Parking)
Located directly across from Cuming Street north of the stadium, this area offers over 400 parking spots during the MCWS. For availability, you can contact Tom Stratman at (402) 551-7779.
4. Skip the Traffic: Shuttles, Transit, & Rideshares
If you’d rather avoid driving through the North Downtown gridlock entirely, Omaha has excellent public transit and alternative rideshare options set up for the tournaments.
🚌 Metro Transit Bus Options
- The Ballpark Bus: A completely FREE shuttle running every 10 minutes through most of the day. It loops around downtown and drops you right near the action at Charles Schwab Field.
- ORBT (Omaha Rapid Transit): Park for free at Westroads Transit Center, hop on the ORBT line (the big orange bus), and get downtown stress-free in under 30 minutes. Tickets are $1.25 each way, and kids 18 and under ride free.
- The Fastball ORBT: Your secret weapon for getting home. An extra ORBT bus waits at 10th & Capitol after each game. It departs 20 minutes after the final out, makes one stop at 15th & Dodge, and heads straight back to Westroads.
Pro-Tip: Download the MyRide OMA app to track buses in real-time and use the Umo app to pay your fare seamlessly.
🚗 Uber, Lyft, and Rideshares
If you are taking a rideshare to the game, drivers are directed to use the north curb cut at the CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center as the designated pick-up and drop-off zone.
🚲 Electric Bikes & Scooters
- Heartland Bike Share: Omaha’s local bike share program features an all-electric fleet. Download the BCycle app to grab a blue bike from any of the 80+ stations. A dedicated bike parking corral is located near 15th & Mike Fahey Streets (bring your own lock!).
- Electric Scooters: Available from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily with designated parking at 15th & Mike Fahey. Note: Scooters are not allowed on Metro Transit buses or bike racks.
5. MECA Tailgating Rules & Regulations
Tailgating is a massive part of the Omaha baseball tradition! It is permitted in all MECA-controlled stadium lots, but you must follow these safety guidelines:
- Space Limits: Tailgate setups cannot extend into additional parking spaces or obstruct drive lanes.
- No Stakes: Staking tents into the ground or lawn areas is strictly prohibited. Use weights to anchor your tents.
- Grill Safety: All cooking equipment must be positioned at least 3 feet away from crowds, buildings, or combustible materials. Grills cannot be left unattended. Trash and charcoal disposal stations are available throughout the lots.
- Prohibited Items: Glass containers, personal golf carts, Segways, hoverboards, skateboards, and commercial banners are not allowed.
- No RVs: Motor homes, RVs, and box trucks will not be admitted into the Charles Schwab Field or CHI Health Center lots due to tight entrance constraints.
NDOT Driving Tips for Out-of-Town Fans
If you are driving in via the interstate, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) recommends these routes to minimize congestion:
- Coming from the West (I-80 E): Take I-80 East to I-480 North. Exit at Leavenworth Street (Exit 1B) or Harney Street (Exit 2A), and use city streets to head north to the stadium.
- Coming from the East (I-80 W): Take I-80 West across the river and exit on 13th Street (Exit 454), using city streets to approach the venue.
Check www.511.nebraska.gov before you leave for real-time traffic updates!
