NCAA softball tournament 2026 regional and Women's College World Series predictions (original) (raw)
May 13, 2026, 6:02 a.m. CT
The NCAA softball tournament bracket is set and that means the Greatest Show on Dirt is right around the corner for the Women's College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
SEC Pitcher of the Year Jocelyn Briski and the Alabama Crimson Tide earned the No. 1 overall seed. Reigning WCWS champion Texas was right behind at No. 2 on the bracket reveal with Oklahoma and Nebraska rounding out the top four seeds.
The 64-team tournament begins Friday and we'll exit the weekend with 16 teams headed for super regionals and then a final eight teams for the WCWS in OKC. Each round is a double-elimination format.
Here's how writers from across the USA Today Sports Network have made their picks for the winner of each NCAA softball regional and who will win the WCWS.
Watch college softball tournament games live with Fubo
NCAA softball tournament regional sites
Here’s a look at the 16 sites for the regional portion of the bracket, along with each school that will be playing host:
- No. 1: Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- No. 2: Texas (Austin, Texas)
- No. 3: Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma)
- No. 4: Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska)
- No. 5: Arkansas (Fayetteville Regional)
- No. 6: Florida (Gainesville Regional)
- No. 7: Tennessee (Knoxville Regional)
- No. 8: UCLA (Los Angeles Regional)
- No. 9: Florida State (Tallahassee Regional)
- No. 10: Georgia (Athens Regional)
- No. 11: Texas Tech (Lubbock Regional)
- No. 12: Duke (Durham Regional)
- No. 13: Oklahoma State (Stillwater Regional)
- No. 14: Oregon (Eugene Regional)
- No. 15: Texas A&M (College Station Regional)
- No. 16: LSU (Baton Rouge Regional)
2026 NCAA softball tournament regional predictions
Tuscaloosa Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Alabama
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Alabama
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Alabama
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Alabama
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Alabama
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Alabama
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Alabama
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Alabama
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Alabama
Austin Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Texas
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Texas
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Texas
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Texas
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Texas
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Texas
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Texas
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Texas
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Texas
Norman Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Oklahoma
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Oklahoma
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Oklahoma
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Oklahoma
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Oklahoma
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Oklahoma
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma
Lincoln Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Nebraska
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Nebraska
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Nebraska
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Nebraska
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Nebraska
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Nebraska
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Nebraska
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Nebraska
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Nebraska
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Nebraska
Fayetteville Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Arkansas
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Arkansas
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Arkansas
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Arkansas
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Arkansas
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Arkansas
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Arkansas
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Arkansas
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Arkansas
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Arkansas
Gainesville Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Florida
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Florida
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas State
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Texas State
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Florida
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Florida
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Florida
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Florida
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Florida
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Florida
Knoxville Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Tennessee
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Tennessee
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Virginia
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Tennessee
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Tennessee
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Tennessee
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Tennessee
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Tennessee
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Tennessee
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Tennessee
Los Angeles Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: UCLA
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: UCLA
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: UCLA
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: UCLA
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: UCLA
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: UCLA
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: UCLA
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: UCLA
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: UCLA
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: UCLA
Tallahassee Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Florida State
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Florida State
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Florida State
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Florida State
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Florida State
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Florida State
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Florida State
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Florida State
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Florida State
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Florida State
Athens Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Georgia
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Georgia
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Georgia
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Georgia
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Georgia
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Clemson
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Georgia
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Georgia
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Georgia
Lubbock Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Texas Tech
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Texas Tech
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Texas Tech
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Texas Tech
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Texas Tech
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Texas Tech
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Texas Tech
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Texas Tech
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Texas Tech
Durham Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Duke
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Duke
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Duke
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Duke
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Arizona
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Duke
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Arizona
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Arizona
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Duke
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Arizona
Stillwater Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma State
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Oklahoma State
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Stanford
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Oklahoma State
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Oklahoma State
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma State
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Oklahoma State
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma State
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Stanford
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma State
Eugene Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Oregon
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Oregon
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Oregon
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Mississippi State
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Oregon
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Oregon
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Oregon
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Mississippi State
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Oregon
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Oregon
College Station Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Arizona State
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Arizona State
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas A&M
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Texas A&M
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Arizona State
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Arizona State
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Arizona State
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Arizona State
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Texas A&M
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Arizona State
Baton Rouge Regional
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Virginia Tech
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Virginia Tech
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Virginia Tech
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Virginia Tech
- **Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: LSU
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Virginia Tech
- **Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Virginia Tech
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Virginia Tech
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: LSU
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Virginia Tech
WCWS championship predictions
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman: Nebraska. Yes, the sport has swung in favor of the offenses and the long ball, but Jordy Frahm is a neutralizer. Plus, Nebraska has enough offense to win. That’s why I’m going Nebraska instead of Texas Tech; NiJaree Canady is every bit as stout as Frahm, but the Red Raider offense has gone AWOL too often.
- Mikey DiLullo, Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Texas. The Longhorns have momentum following their run in the SEC Tournament. With Teagan Kavan and Katie Stewart leading the team this season, I'm choosing Texas.
- Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech. I have some reservations about how the Red Raiders closed the season, but the field is extremely wide open and Texas Tech was built to succeed in the postseason. Plus, they still have NiJaree Canady, and nobody else does.
- Cora Hall, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Alabama. The Tide are one of the more complete teams in the country, and it has the pitching for deep run in Oklahoma City. Alabama already exceeded expectations finishing second in the SEC, and it'll end the 14-year drought between national championships.
- Amelia Hurley, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama. Don’t let Alabama’s SEC Tournament title loss to Texas fool you. The Crimson Tide is the No. 1 overall seed for a reason. With the SEC Coach and Pitcher of the Year at the helm and power at every spot of the lineup, there should be no doubt Alabama has what it takes to get its first Women’s College World Series win since 2012.
- Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: Oklahoma. This tournament is totally wide open, but when in doubt, default to the Sooners. OU doesn’t have a true ace — which makes me hesitant — but the lineup is absolutely stacked. And it never hurts playing in front of a crimson-heavy crowd.
- Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun: Nebraska. Could the SEC send 5-6 teams to Oklahoma City? For sure, but the national champion won’t come from the place where it “Just Means More.” Nebraska is loaded, and I think hungry to prove their one of the nation’s best after getting some Big Ten disrespect. After making softball relevant in the Cornhusker State, Jordy Frahm will depart with three national championships to her name and as one of the sport’s greatest pitchers.
- Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman: Texas. The field does seem perhaps as open as it has ever been, but we might be overthinking it. The Longhorns are the defending national champs and turned it on when it mattered most to claim the SEC tournament title. Watch out for Tennessee's pitching, Nebraska, Alabama and of course, Oklahoma, though.
- Sara Tidwell, Athens Banner-Herald: Alabama. The SEC is a known dominant force, especially with Oklahoma, but it seems another shade of crimson is making its way back into the spotlight. The Crimson Tide has a very complete rotation between Jocelyn Brinski and Vic Moten locking down the circle and power hitters like Brooke Wells and Alexis Pupillo at the plate that will carry them to their first title since 2012.
- Scott Wright, The Oklahoman: Nebraska. Not only have the Cornhuskers played one of the toughest schedules, they have perhaps the best blend of consistency, reliable offensive production and a pitching staff with both a dominant starter and depth to battle the gauntlet of the NCAA Tournament.
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