Construction on improvements and upgrades at Devon Park being done in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics won’t begin until after this year’s Women’s College World Series. But there is still one change that college softball fans may notice.
They won’t be allowed to park at Devon Park during the WCWS.
The change isn’t construction related, but it is definitely something fans will be aware of. For years, fans have been allowed to purchase parking in the lot adjacent to the stadium during the WCWS. Because the lot also serves as parking for officials and media, as well as space for the NCAA’s Fan Fest, spots were limited.
USA Softball Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Bond said as the WCWS has grown, the situation has gotten more crunched and chaotic.
“You’ve got the Ubers and the pedicabs,” she said. “We want our staff to be accommodating … so, ‘Sure, go drop your mom off,’ and then, they don’t come back. Every spot is already accounted for, and then when that starts happening…”
The only caveat to WCWS fans parking at Devon Park: 50 accessible parking spaces will be sold for $20 a day on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Bond knows the decision to restrict access to the lot won’t be popular.
“I’m sure this year we’re gonna hear a lot about parking,” she said.
Options for fans include parking at nearby Remington Park, where a shuttle to the stadium is provided, or riding EMBARK’s WCWS Express, with pickups at the Oklahoma City Convention Center and Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: WCWS parking will be prohibited at Devon Park starting this year