Key Takeaways
- The 2026 National High School Invitational (NHSI) will be held from March 25-28 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
- The 16-team field includes returning champion Venice High School (Venice, Fla.) and runner-up Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.).
- A trio of California schools, including three-time champion Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.), will return to the tournament.
- Eight schools will make their NHSI debuts in 2026, including three teams coming off state titles last season.
- The tournament will feature teams from nine different states, with California leading all states with four representatives.
Introduction to the 2026 National High School Invitational
The 2026 National High School Invitational (NHSI) is set to take place from March 25-28 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The tournament will feature a 16-team field, including returning champion Venice High School (Venice, Fla.) and runner-up Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.). The Indians had a dominant performance in 2025, holding opponents to just four runs in their unbeaten run and improving their overall tournament record to 7-1. Trinity Christian Academy is coming off a Florida state runner-up finish in 2025 and will appear in the NHSI for the fifth time in March.
Participating Teams and Their Backgrounds
A trio of California schools are set to return to the premier high school tournament in 2026, including three-time champion Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.). The Lancers won the tournament three years in a row (2017-19) and own a 20-3 all-time record at the NHSI. Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, Calif.) will be making its fifth trip to the tournament, bringing a 12-4 tournament record with three runner-up finishes. Aquinas High School (San Bernardino, Calif.) rounds out the California returners; the Falcons went 3-1 at the NHSI in 2023 and are coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which they went 25-3 with an unbeaten record in league play. Other teams returning to the tournament include Casteel High School (Queen Creek, Ariz.), Delbarton High School (Morristown, N.J.), and Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, Colo.).
New Teams and State Representatives
Eight schools will make their NHSI debuts in 2026, including three teams coming off state titles last season. Gloucester Catholic School (Gloucester City, N.J.), St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), and Trinity High School (Louisville, Ky.) all won their respective state championships in 2025 and will make their first appearances in Cary. Additionally, a pair of Tennessee schools will be debutants in 2026, as Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Nolensville High School (Nolensville, Tenn.) are set to join the field. Edmond Memorial High School (Edmond, Okla.), Tampa Jesuit High School (Tampa, Fla.), and Wakefield High School (Raleigh, N.C.) round out the teams who will travel to Cary for the first time in program history. The tournament will feature teams from nine different states, with California leading all states with four representatives.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The NHSI is a single-elimination championship tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games. The bracket and full schedule will be announced at a later date. The tournament has been the stage for the NHSI since its inception, and many of MLB’s most accomplished players have played at the complex in their careers, including two-time National League (NL) MVP Bryce Harper and 2025 American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz.
Host Partners and Venue
The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) is honored to serve as a host partner for the 2026 National High School Invitational, marking twelve years of collaboration. The GRSA’s partnership with USA Baseball remains a point of pride, as they continue to bring world-class events to Cary’s USA Baseball National Training Complex. Netting Professionals | STANDIONIC is also proud to continue as a host partner of the National High School Invitational in 2026. The company remains committed to introducing its custom netting, wall padding, and batting practice equipment solutions to every level of baseball across the United States. The USA Baseball National Training Complex (NTC), in partnership with the Town of Cary, has been the official home of USA Baseball since 2007.
Conclusion and Expectations
The 2026 National High School Invitational is set to be an exciting event, featuring some of the nation’s most talented high school baseball teams. With a strong field of returning teams and new debutants, the tournament is expected to be highly competitive. The event will not only provide a great opportunity for teams to compete against each other but also showcase the talent and skills of the next generation of baseball players. USA Baseball’s 18U National Team Director, Brett Curll, expressed his excitement for the tournament, stating that it "annually brings the most talented programs and players to Cary, and this year is no different." The tournament is expected to be a great success, and fans can look forward to an exciting four days of baseball in March.