Stanford set an NCAA softball attendance record on Saturday, drawing a crowd of 13,207 to its football stadium on a sun-splashed afternoon for the final game of The Big Swing series against rival Cal.
The Bears spoiled the festive day, winning 10-8 to avoid being swept in the three-game series.
The attendance number broke the previous record of 12,566, set on the first day of the 2024 Women’s College World Series last May. The regular season record was 8,930, which Oklahoma set for a game against Texas in March 2023.
Fans cheer during a softball game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The opportunity for Stanford to break the attendance mark was one of the benefits of playing home games at Stanford Stadium this season as the program’s softball facility undergoes a $50 million renovation.
As of late in the week, Stanford had sold 11,100 tickets for the series finale as it sought to break the record.
On its website, the school asked fans to come out on Saturday “when Stanford softball swings for the fences and looks for a record-breaking crowd at The Big Swing.”
The first two games of the series drew much smaller crowds.
On Thursday, 737 attended Stanford’s 7-4 victory over the Bears. On Friday, a crowd of 1,437 watched the Cardinal win 9-3.
Saturday’s game started with former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, now the football program’s general manager, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
(Left to right) Stanford’s Sydney Boulaphinh (4), Stanford’s Taylor Nelson (26), and Stanford’s Camryn Carmouche (17) sign autographs after a game against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans dance during a softball game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Cal’s Elon Butler (24) celebrates hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game with Cal’s Lagi Quiroga (4) against Stanford at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
A record breaking number of fans watches a game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The score board shows the record breaking number of fans that were in attendance during a game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans dance during a softball game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Cal’s Elon Butler (24) celebrates hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game with Cal’s Lagi Quiroga (4) against Stanford at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The Stanford marching band performs during a softball game against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Cal’s Miranda De Nava (14) celebrates with her teammates after they won against Stanford at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
A record breaking number of fans watches a game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Stanford celebrates a home run hit bay Stanford’s
River Mahler (1) against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans dance during a softball game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
California Golden Bears celebrate after winning a game against Stanford at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Stanford’s Emily Jones (18) signs autographs after a game against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Stanford’s Emily Jones (18) signs autographs after a game against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
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(Left to right) Stanford’s Sydney Boulaphinh (4), Stanford’s Taylor Nelson (26), and Stanford’s Camryn Carmouche (17) sign autographs after a game against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
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