The Columbus Clippers and The Ohio State University announced Monday that the Buckeyes baseball team will play their first-ever regular season game at Huntington Park on Friday, May 8, 2026, against the Michigan State Spartans. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for this unique event will go on sale to the public at ClippersBaseball.com on Thursday, December 18 at 10:00am. A special pre-sale opportunity will be offered to Clippers and Buckeyes season ticket holders beginning on Tuesday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m.

“We are excited to partner with the Clippers to bring Buckeye baseball back to Huntington Park,” said Ohio State head coach Justin Haire. “We love the idea of engaging our fans and community in different ways and being a part of the vibrant downtown sports scene in Columbus.” 

“We’re thrilled to expand our baseball events in the collegiate space and to welcome Ohio State to Huntington Park,” added Clippers President Tyler Parsons. “We talk constantly about growing baseball in this region, and this is a tremendous example of two flagship organizations working together to grow the game.

“Coach Haire and his program have a ton of energy around them, and we’re excited to host them for an elite Big Ten matchup in the heart of Downtown Columbus. This is the first in many collaborations with the Buckeyes and look forward to many more in the future!”

Upon its debut in 2009, Huntington Park hosted the Big Ten Baseball Tournament three times in a four-year span.  The Ohio State Buckeyes have not played at Huntington Park since the 2012 Big Ten Tournament. OSU has never played a regular season contest at Huntington Park.

The Ohio State Buckeyes open the 2026 season in February. The home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 against Xavier at Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes open Big Ten play on March 6 when they welcome UCLA for their first meeting since the Bruins joined the conference.