Two key event producers in the fastpitch softball space—Diamond Direction and Top Gun Events—have announced the launch of The Main Event, a three-day softball experience designed exclusively for elite athletes in the 2029 graduation class.

Taking place November 20-22, 2026, at the John A. Alario Jr. Sports Complex in Westwego, La., this inaugural year launches what will become an annual event giving college coaches an early look at the upcoming recruiting class in a premier national setting.

The Main Event’s focus: to bring together development, exposure, and competition in one centralized location. 

Nate Eaton, the Event Director for The Main Event and Co-Founder of Diamond Direction Events, expects more than 20 Power 4 college softball programs to attend the three-day inaugural event this fall:

“The Main Event is built to prepare the next generation of elite softball players for success both on and off the field,” he explains.

“This elite event gives athletes early, meaningful exposure while equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the recruiting process.” 

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Event Details 

Event: The Main Event 
Dates: November 20–22, 2026 
Graduation Class: 2029 
Locations: 

• John A. Alario Sr. Event Center 
  2000 Segnette Blvd, Westwego, LA 70094 
• John A. Alario Jr. Sports Complex 
  11080 Nicolle Blvd, Westwego, LA 70094 

Athlete Registration Fee: $795 
Includes all Friday seminars, Saturday exposure sessions, Sunday competitive games, plus the Friday night athlete dinner and social. Also included: uniform and swag bag, scheduled media/headshot photos, hair styling before photos, and Friday seminar access for one parent/guardian. 

Registration Opening: May 4, 2026 

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What to Expect: A Three-Day College-Style Experience 

Friday | Athlete Development

Friday begins with a scheduled check-in, where athletes receive their Sunday game uniform and a swag bag with gear and sponsor items before rotating through on-site hair services and professional media/headshot photos. The day then transitions into off-field development seminars focused on the complete student-athlete. The Main Event will feature industry-leading guest speakers, including: 

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  Tyler Key, VP of NIL Growth & Development, will lead a session on NIL, revenue share, and understanding scholarship offers, drawing on his experience supporting NIL initiatives at more than 200 universities.
• Jordan Young, founder of Young Sports Advisors and co-founder of 3MC Media, will present on personal branding and social media strategy, helping athletes learn how to build an authentic, NIL-ready personal brand.
• Kyle Jacksic, owner of JAX Athletic Performance and High Performance Director for Performance Baseball X2, will co-lead a session on female athlete performance optimization, focusing on physical preparation and long-term development.
• Sydney Matulewicz, PT, DPT, ATC, and Vice President of PT Development at Architech Sports, will co-lead a session on female athlete performance optimization, emphasizing injury prevention, recovery, and athlete education.

These sessions are designed to give athletes a competitive edge as they enter a critical stage of their recruiting journey. 

Friday evening concludes with The Main Event Gala, a red-carpet-style social event featuring dinner, live music, and a keynote speaker. Dress is semi-formal/homecoming-style attire, and the night gives athletes a chance to connect with peers and celebrate the start of the weekend. 

Saturday | Exposure Day 

Saturday features a combine-style exposure day with skills, drills, and measurable testing across eight fields. Athletes will rotate through position-specific stations, including offensive and defensive skill work, pitching, and catching, designed to put each athlete’s skills on full display. Power 4 college coaches will be on site throughout the day evaluating talent, while a mix of college coaches from different divisions will provide hands-on instruction and feedback. 

Sunday | Competitive Games 

Sunday delivers a true college gameday atmosphere. Athletes are placed on balanced teams to compete in two live games, coached by a mix of college coaches from different divisions and evaluated by Power 4 programs. The day is structured to mirror the pace, expectations, and intensity of college softball competition. From pregame routines and scouting reports to in-game focus, athletes learn how to prepare and perform with the mindset required at the next level. 

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Final Thoughts

“What makes me most excited about The Main Event is the opportunity to connect top thought leaders from their fields with one specific graduation class and the top coaches in the country,” Eaton adds.

“It gives these athletes the opportunity to get on recruiting boards, gain unbelievable exposure, and learn about things that will help them be most prepared for their next 5-6 years on and off the field.”

“I am pumped to be a part of something the softball community has never seen before.” 

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About Diamond Direction & Top Gun Events 

Diamond Direction Events is a premier recruiting and exposure platform committed to connecting elite softball athletes with college coaches who are invested in development and education.

Top Gun Events is a national leader in producing high-level, professionally run sporting events that deliver meaningful experiences for athletes and families. 

Together, the two organizations are redefining what early recruiting exposure looks like — raising the bar for athlete preparation and college coach evaluation. 

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Media & Event Information 

For more information about The Main Event, including invite requests, college coach registration, and event updates, visit The Main Event website at themaineventsoftball.com. 

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Media Inquiries: 

• Email: info@themaineventsoftball.com 
• Instagram: @themaineventsoftball 
• X: @themaineventsb