Let’s start with what matters most: the memories.

The NBC World Series has been running since 1935, which means this tournament is older than most of our grandparents. When legendary pitcher Satchel Paige took the field in that very first tournament, he didn't just win the championship—he integrated the event, a decade before Major League Baseball followed suit. That history isn't just abstract; it's woven into every game.

Our kids might not realize they're part of living history when they're sprawled on Coleman Hill eating hot dogs and trading collector pins with new friends. But they are. And unlike most "historical sites," this one comes with zero boredom and maximum fun.

In an age when our kids spend more time looking at screens than at each other, the NBC World Series offers something beautifully simple: ten days of baseball, family time, and the kind of summer evenings that become the stories you tell for decades.
 

Speaking of unforgettable experiences—let's talk about the most wonderfully crazy thing the tournament offers: Baseball 'Round the Clock.

Picture this: 33 hours. Eleven consecutive baseball games. One stadium. And a cuckoo clock that determines your fate.

Starting Saturday at noon, games run continuously through Sunday at 6 p.m.—including midnight, 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. slots. Stay alert for cuckoo clock check-ins every few hours (miss one and you're out!), complete the challenge, and earn your "I Survived" t-shirt plus entry into prize drawings.

Here's the beauty: you don't have to complete all 33 hours to have an amazing experience. If you make it until the midnight game before tapping out, you still get to say you were part of this wild tradition in Kansas. Or you can just come at 6 a.m. to watch the sun rise in the middle of the game.

The atmosphere is unlike anything else—part baseball game, part summer camp, part adventure. Families bring sleeping bags, coolers, and stories. By 2 a.m., there's this incredible camaraderie among everyone crazy enough to still be there.

Will your family talk about it for years? Absolutely. Even if you just pop in for one of the late night games, there's something surreal and magical about watching baseball at midnight in July.
 

New in 2026, the NBC World Series is introducing free collector pins for fans in attendance—and my daughters are already planning their strategy.

If you've been to the Olympics or major sporting events with pin trading, you know how engaging this becomes. Kids love collecting different pins from various days, teams, and events throughout the tournament, then trading with friends they've made.

It transforms passive spectating into active participation. Suddenly your kids are strategizing which games to attend, making friends to trade with, and building collections they'll treasure. My 11-year-old has already started a list of which days she wants to attend based on which pins might be available (hint: Opening Night & Baseball ‘Round the Clock will each have their own pin – and so will the players on the Hutchinson Monarchs!).

It's a small detail that makes a big difference in keeping kids engaged throughout the tournament.

Let's talk money, because this is where the NBC World Series really shines.

Through the NBC Kids Club (presented by Scheels), kids 12 and under get in absolutely free. Not discounted. Free. You just register online before you go. Kids 2 and under are also free with lap seating.

For adults, tournament passes start at $50 for all ten days—that's $5.00 per day. Single-day tickets run $14-20, and include admission to all the games of the day. There are also 25% discounts for military, students, and seniors.

In 2025, a New York Times report tagged the average cost for a family of four to go to an MLB game at $208 for four of the cheapest available tickets, a parking spot, two beers, two sodas and four hot dogs. That’s more than four full-tournament passes to all 10 days of the NBC World Series!

And here's the kicker—you can bring your own food and drinks (non-alcoholic) in coolers to Coleman Hill. Our friends packed sandwiches, fruit, and snacks, then grabbed hot dogs and ice cream from concessions as treats. Parking at Eck Stadium? Free.

When was the last time you took your whole family out for entertainment that cost less than dinner at a restaurant?

If you've only ever experienced baseball from traditional stadium seats, Coleman Hill will change your perspective.

It's the outfield lawn area at Eck Stadium where families spread out lawn chairs, blankets, and even pop-up shade tents. Your kids aren't confined to seats—they can run around, play catch in foul territory between innings, and stretch their legs whenever they need to.

My 8-year-old made friends with three other girls within the first hour, and they spent the game running back and forth, practicing cartwheels, and occasionally paying attention to the baseball. My 11-year-old actually watched the games but could get up and move around when she wanted.

For families with energetic kids who can't sit still through nine innings, Coleman Hill is an absolute game-changer. You get to actually watch and enjoy the baseball while your kids burn energy in a safe, fun environment.

Over 900 players who competed in the NBC World Series have gone on to play Major League Baseball. Names like Ozzie Smith, Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, and Alex Gordon all played here before they were famous.

My daughters got autographs from players during our visit. Will any of them make it to the majors? Who knows. But how cool would it be to pull out that baseball in five years and say, "Yeah, I met him when he was playing in Wichita"?

The talent level is exceptional—elite collegiate players from top summer leagues across the country, with MLB scouts at nearly every game. For kids who play softball or Little League, it's inspiring to see what the next level looks like.

Plus, autograph opportunities are genuinely accessible. No long lines, no VIP packages required—just kids with hopes and players who remember what it was like to be in their shoes.

With 35 games over ten days, you can design your visit around your family's schedule and energy level.

Just passing through? Catch an afternoon game on your drive across Kansas. Perfect two-hour break.

Weekend warriors? Plan Friday through Sunday. Hit a Friday night game, spend Saturday at the tournament, catch some Baseball 'Round the Clock innings.

Making it a destination? Grab tournament passes and embrace all ten days, combining morning adventures at Wichita attractions with afternoon and evening games.

Game times typically include noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. slots, so there's almost always something happening. The flexibility means less stress and a vacation that actually fits your family.

Most of the tournament happens at Eck Stadium on the Wichita State University campus—a beautiful facility with that perfect "college baseball" atmosphere and Coleman Hill.

But Championship Night moves downtown to Equity Bank Park, home of the Wichita Wind Surge minor league team. It's a completely different vibe—modern, professional, right in the heart of downtown with restaurants within walking distance.

And after the championship game? Fireworks.

The faces of kids during those fireworks, after days of baseball and new friends and staying up way too late... that's the moment you know you’ll be back every summer.

Wichita is an absolute gem for family travel. Plan your mornings around attractions, then head to afternoon and evening games.

Sedgwick County Zoo is legitimately one of the best zoos in the country. My girls still talk about hand-feeding the stingrays.

Exploration Place launches its brand new Playscape this spring, plus the planetarium show is the perfect air-conditioned midday break.

The Kansas Aviation Museum sits inside a beautifully restored Art Deco terminal. Kids love climbing into vintage aircraft cockpits.

Botanica Gardens offers a butterfly house, children's garden, and splash pad—perfect for a relaxing morning before baseball.

For food, discover NuWay Burgers (a Wichita icon since the 1930s), Doo-Dah Diner for breakfast, and Frost in College Hill for post-game ice cream.

You're not just going to a baseball tournament—you're getting a full family vacation.

I'll be honest: my 8-year-old daughter isn’t particularly interested in baseball. But it turns out she has the time of her life at the tournament.

For kids who aren't into sports: There's running around Coleman Hill, making friends with other families, trading collector pins, the arts & crafts activities, Laces the mascot, the challenge of staying awake for Baseball 'Round the Clock, fireworks at Championship Night. Baseball becomes the backdrop for a bigger adventure.

For parents: The atmosphere is laid-back. You can bring a book, chat with other parents, and enjoy the weather. With a tournament pass, you can come and go as you please.

One family we met had a daughter who spent half her time drawing and half playing with other kids. She probably watched two innings the entire weekend. She had the time of her life. (Spoiler: she’s my daughter).

You don't have to be a baseball superfan to have an amazing time. This is about family, summer, and experiencing something uniquely Kansas.