BERKELEY – The University of California will move forward with the Cal Softball Field Renovation project following the final home game of the 2025 season.

"We are excited about the renovation of our softball facility," Cal Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. "This is a landmark development for our softball program that will enable us to  provide the resources our student-athletes need to compete at the highest level. I can't wait to get shovels in the ground and watch the renovated facility come to life."

The renovation is expected to begin soon after Cal's final home game of the 2025 season on April 27 and is estimated to take 16-18 months to complete. The Golden Bears are expected to resume playing at the Cal Softball Field to begin the 2027 season.  

Among the highlights of the upgraded facility:

• A 30,500 square foot, two-story precast concrete structure that will house the bullpen, concourse and press box behind home plate
• 1,511 permanent seats on the new concourse that extends out and surrounds the field
• 8,500 square feet of enclosed spaces, including locker rooms, a press box, lounges and a training room
• An LED scoreboard display (approximately 35x20 feet) installed in the outfield that will face spectator seating to the southwest
• New fine-grained aggregate material in the infield
• Synthetic turf in the outfield (replacing existing grass)

"This move is monumental for our program," Cal head coach Chelsea Spencer said. "Our new facility will allow our student-athletes to continue to have a world-class experience while competing at the highest level. Cal is the No. 1 public institution in the world, and having what we believe will be the premier facility on the West Coast, will make us a top destination for prospective student-athletes. We are grateful and very excited to break ground."

Cal's softball program is one of the most successful in the nation, having made 12 appearances in the Women's College World Series and securing 34 NCAA Tournament berths. The Bears won the NCAA championship in 2002.

The renovation project is being partially funded by Cal's successful Gender Equity Campaign that raised $8 million. The campaign was launched to support the university's commitment to and compliance with Title IX — the landmark federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid.

"We couldn't be more grateful for the support of our Cal Family, especially the campaign committee and donors, that recognizes the importance and significance of gender equity and helped fund this important project," Cal Chief Development Officer Beth Tafolla-Voetsch said. "I'm excited to watch our student-athletes thrive in our renovated facility."

To learn more or to make a gift, please contact the Cal Athletics Fund at calathleticsfund@berkeley.edu or 510-642-2427.