The road through 64 teams, 16 regionals, and eight super regionals is nearly complete. Now the best eight programs in college softball converge on one place for the ultimate stage in the sport. The 2026 Women's College World Series tips off May 28 in Oklahoma City, and whether you're making the trip to Devon Park or watching from your couch, here's everything you need to know.
Dates, Location & Schedule at a Glance
- Event: 2026 NCAA Division I Women's College World Series
- Dates: May 28 – June 5, 2026
- Location: Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Format: Double-elimination pool play into a championship series
The WCWS splits eight teams into two four-team brackets for pool play, with each team guaranteed at least two games. The format ensures meaningful softball nearly every day of the event — no single-elimination gut punches until the championship series.
How To Watch
ESPN carries the entire Women's College World Series, as they have for years. Below is where you can find each game:
Note: all times in Eastern Standard Time and subject to change.
Thursday, May 28
- Game 1 | 12 p.m. | No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Mississippi State | ESPN
- Game 2 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Tennessee | ESPN
- Game 3 | 7 p.m. | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 UCLA | ESPN2
- Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. | No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 2 Arkansas | ESPN2
Friday, May 29
- Game 5 | 7 p.m. on ESPN2
- Game 6 | 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Saturday, May 30
- Game 7 | 3 p.m. on ABC
- Game 8 | 7 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday, May 31
- Game 9 | 3 p.m. on ABC
- Game 10 | 7 p.m. on ESPN2
Monday, June 1
- Game 11 | 12 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 12 | 2:30 p.m. on ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 13 | 7 p.m. on ESPN2
- Game 14 | 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2 (if necessary)
Wednesday, June 3
- Championship Series Game 1 | 8 p.m. on ESPN
Thursday, June 4
- Championship Series Game 2 | 8 p.m. on ESPN
Friday, June 5
- Championship Series Game 3 | 8 p.m. on ESPN (if necessary)
The Teams: Who's Left Standing
Eight programs have survived regionals and super regionals to earn their spot in OKC. Here's a quick look at the contenders:
No. 1 Alabama — The Favorite
The Crimson Tide posted the top overall record in the SEC this year at 54-7 and have looked nearly untouchable in the postseason — they didn't allow a single run during the regionals, outscoring opponents 20-0. On the mound, Jocelyn Briski and Kaitlyn Pallozzi are both in the nation's top 10 in lowest ERAs. Offensively, Alexis Pupillo's .401 average and Brooks Wells' 23 home runs lead the team. Alabama arrives as the clear favorite, and the team everyone else has to beat.
No. 2 Texas — Defending Champions
Texas earned a third straight trip to the WCWS by beating Arizona State 5-0 in Game 3 of the Austin Super Regional and arrives as the team hunting back-to-back titles. The Longhorns bring the experience and composure that only comes from having been on this stage before — twice. Don't expect them to be intimidated by anyone in OKC.
No. 4 Nebraska — The Big Ten's Best
Nebraska was the best team in the Big Ten all year, producing a 50-6 record while winning the conference tournament. Ace Jordy Frahm gave up just one run across eight combined innings in the Lincoln Super Regional and the Cornhuskers have yet to lose a game this entire postseason. Frahm led the Big Ten with a 1.15 ERA while also leading Nebraska in home runs and OPS — one of the most dangerous two-way players in the country and a nightmare match-up for any offense or lineup she faces.
No. 5 Arkansas — First-Ever WCWS Appearance
The Razorbacks are making their first-ever trip to Oklahoma City and they're arriving with momentum. In their super regional, Arkansas demolished Duke 14-5 — Dakota Kennedy went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Tianna Bell launched a grand slam, her 18th home run of the year. A program milestone years in the making, and a team that won't be overwhelmed by the moment.
No. 7 Tennessee — The Pitching Staff From Another Planet
Tennessee owns the best pitching staff in the entire WCWS field, with three pitchers who have an ERA of 1.50 or lower. Leading the rotation is Karlyn Pickens, who holds the NCAA softball record for fastest pitch ever thrown at 79.4 miles per hour. The Lady Vols went 47-10 in the regular season and won five straight entering OKC, allowing just one run in four of those five contests. If pitching wins championships — and it does — Tennessee is built for a deep run.
No. 8 UCLA — The Home Run Machine
UCLA comes to OKC swinging as hard as any team in the country. Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery are two of the top three home-run hitters in all of Division I, combining for 78 long balls this season. The Bruins hit 196 home runs as a team — only Oklahoma was in the same stratosphere during the regular season — and they arrive with a 52-8 record and serious momentum after a dominant super regional. When UCLA gets hot, they can bury any team in the country in a single inning.
No. 11 Texas Tech — NiJaree Canady's Stage (Again)
It's the Red Raiders' second straight WCWS appearance, and this time they're arriving with 57 wins and a complete roster around their ace. NiJaree Canady leads the pitching staff with 223 strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA, while Kaitlyn Terry adds 156 Ks of her own. Offensively, three Texas Tech players have hit at least 15 home runs this season. The Red Raiders aren't just here to compete — they're here to finish what they started last year.
Mississippi State — The Cinderella Story
Mississippi State made the entire country take notice by stunning three-seed Oklahoma — winners of four of the past five national championships — in the Norman super regional to reach their first-ever WCWS. It's the first time since 2015 that Oklahoma won't be playing in OKC, and the Bulldogs put them out. At the plate, Nadia Barbary and Kiara Sells both carry 14 home runs and averages north of .325. Nobody outside Starkville expected Mississippi State to be here. That's exactly what makes them dangerous.
How the WCWS Works
The format rewards consistency while giving teams a safety net early:
- Pool Play: The eight teams split into two 4-team brackets. Each team plays all three other teams in their bracket.
- Elimination rounds begin once bracket winners and runners-up are determined.
- Championship Series: The final two teams meet in a best-of-three series for the national title.
The double-elimination format allows all teams a second-chance to win the national championship while being on the brink of elimination — which is exactly why the WCWS produces so much drama and so many memorable comeback stories.
Gear up for WCWS week — shop apparel, equipment, and everything you need to play the game you're watching. Summer softball starts now.
