Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA DI softball tournament, including the bracket, schedule and scores.
This year's championship bracket was revealed on Sunday, May 10. Action starts at 16 regional sites Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17. After regional and super regional play, the final eight teams will head to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series starting on Thursday, May 28 at Devon Park.
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Texas is the defending champion after beating Texas Tech in the 2025 championship series.
2026 NCAA softball tournament bracket
👉 Click or tap to view the interactive bracket
2026 NCAA softball tournament schedule, scores
Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.
All times ET
- Selection show: Sunday, May 10 on ESPN2
- Regionals: Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17
- Tuscaloosa Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 2 p.m.| No. 1 Alabama vs. Belmont
- Game 4: 4:30 p.m. | USC Upstate vs. No. 8 Southeastern Louisiana (Elimination game)
Game 5: 7 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 1 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 3:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 5
- Baton Rouge Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | South Alabama vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 2 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Tallahassee Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 12 p.m. | Stetson vs. No. 6 UCF
- Game 4: 2:30 p.m. | No. 3 Florida State vs. Jacksonville State (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 5 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 12 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Los Angeles Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 5 p.m. | Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 7:30 p.m. | Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 10 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 7:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 10 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Fayetteville Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 2 p.m. | Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 4:30 p.m. | Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 7 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 2 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Durham Regional
- May 15
- Game 1: No. 3 Duke 10, Howard 1
- Game 2: No. 6 Arizona 7, Marshall 5
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | No. 3 Duke vs. No. 6 Arizona
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | Howard vs. Marshall (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 12 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- May 15
- Stillwater Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | No. 5 Stanford vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | Princeton vs. Eastern Illinois (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 4 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 6:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Lincoln Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | Grand Canyon vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | No. 8 Louisville vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 3 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Norman Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 3 p.m. | No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 5:30 p.m. | Binghamton vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 8 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 3 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Eugene Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 5 p.m. | Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 7:30 p.m. | Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 10 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 7:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 10 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Lubbock Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 3 p.m. | No. 6 Ole Miss vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 5:30 p.m. | Boston U. vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 8 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 4 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 6:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Gainesville Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 10 a.m. | No. 2 Florida vs. Georgia Tech
- Game 4: 12:30 p.m. | Florida A&M vs. No. 7 Texas State (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 3 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 12 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Knoxville Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 3 p.m. | Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 5:30 p.m. | Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 8 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 2 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 4:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Athens Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | UNC Greensboro vs. Winner of Game 2
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | No. 6 Clemson vs. Loser of Game 2
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 12 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- College Station Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 3 p.m. | No. 5 Arizona State vs. No. 4 Texas A&M
- Game 4: 5:30 p.m. | McNeese vs. UConn (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 8 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 3 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 5:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Austin Regional
- May 15
- May 16
- Game 3: 1 p.m. | No. 1 Texas vs. No. 8 Wisconsin
- Game 4: 3:30 p.m. | Wagner vs. Baylor (Elimination game)
- Game 5: 6 p.m. | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
- May 17
- Game 6: 1 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 7 (if necessary): 3:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
- Tuscaloosa Regional
- Super regionals: Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24 | TBA host sites
- Women's College World Series: May 28 - June 4/5 | Devon Park in Oklahoma City, OK
- Game 1 | 12 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN
- Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN
- Game 3 | 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN2
- Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 on ESPN2
- Game 5 | 7 p.m. Friday, May 29 on ESPN2
- Game 6 | 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 29 on ESPN2
- Game 7 | 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30 on ABC
- Game 8 | 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 on ESPN
- Game 9 | 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31 on ABC
- Game 10 | 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 on ESPN2
- Game 11 | 12 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN
- Game 12 | 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 13 | 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN2
- Game 14 | 9:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 on ESPN2 (if necessary)
- Championship Series Game 1 | 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 on ESPN
- Championship Series Game 2 | 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4 on ESPN
- Championship Series Game 3 | 8 p.m. Friday, June 5 on ESPN (if necessary)
Where is the WCWS?
👀 LOOK BACK: Texas wins the 2025 NCAA DI softball championship
The historic Devon Park holds 13,000 fans and has hosted the WCWS every year since 1990 (with exception to 1996 when the event was held in Columbus, Georgia to preview the Atlanta Olympics). The stadium, which was once known as the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, is set to host the softball portion of the LA Olympics in 2028.
The mecca of college softball is nestled in a town that has nurtured the growth of the sport throughout the years, seeing the likes of Jocelyn Alo, Monic Abbott and Jennie Finch take the field.
NCAA DI softball selection process
The 2026 NCAA DI softball tournament features a 64-team field that was announced during a selection show on Sunday, May 10 on ESPN2.
Thirty-one conferences were granted automatic qualification bid while 33 teams earned an at-large bid. To be considered, teams must have an overall win-loss record of .500 or better against DI competition. The DI softball committee championship subcommittee also evaluates teams' strength of schedule and others measures to be selected.
NCAA DI softball championship history
Texas captured the 2025 national title with a decisive 10–4 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3, securing the Longhorns’ first championship in program history. UCLA remains the all-time leader with 13 titles, most recently winning in 2019, while Oklahoma holds the record for the longest championship streak, claiming four consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024.
| Year | Champion (Record) | Coach | Score | Runner-Up | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Texas (56-12) | Mike White | 10-4 | Texas Tech | Oklahoma City |
| 2024 | *Oklahoma (59-7) | Patty Gasso | 8-4 | Texas | Oklahoma City |
| 2023 | *Oklahoma (61-1) | Patty Gasso | 3-1 | Florida State | Oklahoma City |
| 2022 | *Oklahoma (59-3) | Patty Gasso | 10-5 | Texas | Oklahoma City |
| 2021 | Oklahoma (56-4) | Patty Gasso | 5-1 | Florida State | Oklahoma City |
| 2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2019 | *UCLA (56-6) | Kelly Inouye-Perez | 5-4 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
| 2018 | *Florida State (58-12) | Lonni Alameda | 8-3 | Washington | Oklahoma City |
| 2017 | *Oklahoma (61-9) | Patty Gasso | 5-4 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
| 2016 | Oklahoma (57-8) | Patty Gasso | 2-1 | Auburn | Oklahoma City |
| 2015 | Florida (60-7) | Tim Walton | 4-1 | Michigan | Oklahoma City |
| 2014 | *Florida (55-12) | Tim Walton | 6-3 | Alabama | Oklahoma City |
| 2013 | *Oklahoma (57-4) | Patty Gasso | 4-0 | Tennessee | Oklahoma City |
| 2012 | Alabama (60-8) | Patrick Murphy | 5-4 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
| 2011 | *Arizona State (60-6) | Clint Myers | 7-2 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
| 2010 | *UCLA (50-11) | Kelly Inouye-Perez | 15-9 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
| 2009 | Washington (51-12) | Heather Tarr | 3-2 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
| 2008 | *Arizona State (66-5) | Clint Myers | 11-0 | Texas A&M | Oklahoma City |
| 2007 | Arizona (50-14-1) | Mike Candrea | 5-0 | Tennessee | Oklahoma City |
| 2006 | Arizona (54-11) | Mike Candrea | 5-0 | Northwestern | Oklahoma City |
| 2005 | Michigan (65-7) | Carol Hutchins | 4-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 2004 | UCLA (47-9) | Sue Enquist | 3-1 | California | Oklahoma City |
| 2003 | UCLA (54-7) | Sue Enquist | 1-0 | California | Oklahoma City |
| 2002 | California (56-19) | Diane Ninemire | 6-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
| 2001 | *Arizona (65-4) | Mike Candrea | 1-0 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 2000 | *Oklahoma (66-8) | Patty Gasso | 3-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 1999 | *UCLA (63-6) | Sue Enquist | 3-2 | Washington | Oklahoma City |
| 1998 | Fresno State (52-11) | Margie Wright | 1-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
| 1997 | Arizona (61-5) | Mike Candrea | 10-2 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 1996 | *Arizona (58-9) | Mike Candrea | 6-4 | Washington | Columbus, Ga. |
| 1995 | *#UCLA (50-6) | Sharron Backus | 4-2 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
| 1994 | *Arizona (64-3) | Mike Candrea | 2-0 | Cal State Northridge | Oklahoma City |
| 1993 | Arizona (44-8) | Mike Candrea | 1-0 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 1992 | *UCLA (54-2) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
| 1991 | Arizona (56-16) | Mike Candrea | 5-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
| 1990 | UCLA (62-7) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Fresno State | Oklahoma City |
| 1989 | *UCLA (48-4) | Sharron Backus | 1-0 | Fresno State | Sunnyvale, Calif. |
| 1988 | UCLA (53-8) | Sharron Backus | 3-0 | Fresno State | Sunnyvale, Calif. |
| 1987 | Texas A&M (56-8) | Bob Brock | 4-1 | UCLA | Omaha, Neb. |
| 1986 | *Cal State Fullerton (57-9-1) | Judi Garman | 3-0 | Texas A&M | Omaha, Neb. |
| 1985 | UCLA (41-9) | Sharron Backus | 2-1 | Nebraska | Omaha, Neb. |
| 1984 | UCLA (45-6-1) | Sharron Backus | 1-0 | Texas A&M | Omaha, Neb. |
| 1983 | Texas A&M (41-11) | Bob Brock | 2-0 | Cal State Fullerton | Omaha, Neb. |
| 1982 | *UCLA (33-7-2) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Fresno State | Omaha, Neb. |