The spotlight on Little League Softball® is brighter than ever this summer with all 22 games of the 2026 Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods (LLSWS), set to air on linear ESPN platforms for the first time in the event’s history. The excitement doesn’t stop there, however, as the lead-up to the week-long international event is filled with moments and events that will make for another memorable Summer of Softball™.
“From the grassroots level to the biggest stage in youth sports, our commitment to providing elevated opportunities for girls and growing the game of softball across the globe is stronger now than ever before,” said Patrick Wilson, Little League® President and CEO. “The progress we have continued to see in our softball program reflects the passion and impact of the sport, and we remain focused on expanding access, investing in our players, and delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for every athlete. With the support of our friends at AUSL and ESPN, along with our many Official Partners, we look forward to another exciting Summer of Softball and bringing the joy of the game to families all around the world.”
Since the Girls with Game Initiative launched in 2019, it has since become so much more than just a celebration of girls and women in the program, but instead the foundation for Little League’s Female Initiative and investment into softball moving forward. This investment, which has helped lead to a 25% increase in softball teams since its launch, includes providing new training opportunities to coaches and volunteers; creating new resources to support equipment, registration, and field accessibility; and leveraging partnerships to continue to create excitement and build visibility around the program.
“The incredible growth we’ve seen is proof that when we invest intentionally in access, visibility, and experience, families and players thrive,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “As we continue to build pathways from the local leagues to the global stage, Little League remains committed to creating unforgettable opportunities that empower every girl to play, compete, and believe she belongs in this game.”
As the spotlight continues to shine on softball at every level of the game, check out what is ahead this summer:
Alumnae Compete at the WCWS
Each year, a group of Little League graduates earn their way to compete for the championship trophy at the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City. With the tournament start just days away, be sure to check back at LittleLeague.org in the coming days to find out which former Little Leaguers® are stepping up to the plate and representing the best in the game at the 2026 WCWS. Over the years, a select group of only 10 graduates has also accomplished the tremendous feat of competing in both the LLSWS and the WCWS, with two of them competing in the Junior League Softball World Series, as well.
Excitement Around the AUSL Season
Building off a fun and historic debut season highlighted by sellout crowds in 2025, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) will once again bring professional softball to cities across the country, and this year will feature six teams instead of four, with two new rosters debuting in Oklahoma City and Chicago this summer.
Kicking off June 9, several former Little Leaguers will take the field as professional superstars, including a pair who competed at the LLSWS:
- Jessi Warren (Oklahoma City Spark), Citrus Park LL (Tampa, Fla.)
- Maddie Penta (Oklahoma City Spark), Chesapeake City (Md.) Community LL
- Mia Davidson (Cascade), Orange County LL (Hillsborough, N.C.)
- Kendra Falby (Cascade), Land O’Lakes (Fla.) LL
- Carley Hoover (Cascade), South Simpsonville LL (Clemson, S.C.) – 2008 LLSWS Champion
- Hannah Flippen (Talons), Sweetwater Valley LL (Bonita, Calif.)
- Montana Fouts (Talons), South Charleston (W.V.) LL
- Maddie Moore (Talons), Gilroy (Calif.) LL
- Caroline Jacobsen (Talons), Chaires-Capitola LL (Tallahassee, Fla.)
- Aliyah Andrews (Talons), Oldsmar (Fla.) LL
- Rachel Garcia (Volts), California D51 LL (Palmdale, Calif.)
- Leighann Goode (Volts), Greater Helotes (Texas) LL
- Morgan Zerkle (Bandits), Ona-Milton LL (Milton, W.V.)
- Kathryn Sandercock (Bandits), McLean (Va.) LL – 2013 LLSWS Runner-Up
- Lexi Kilfoyl (Bandits), Land O’Lakes (Fla.) LL
- Jenna Laird (Blaze), East Meadow (N.Y.) LL
- Reese Atwood (Blaze), Oil Belt LL (Corpus Christi, Texas)
- Aleshia Ocasio (Blaze), Conway LL (St. Cloud, Fla.)
- Valerie Cagle (Blaze), York County LL (Yorktown, Va.)
Supporting the women on the field, Little League Hall of Excellence Enshrinees, Cat Osterman (2016) and Jenny Dalton-Hill (2022), are set as two of the four new General Managers. In addition to a summer full of game action, AUSL and Little League are continuing to bring the game directly to the grassroots level, again partnering to host a variety of clinics, PLAY BALL events, and Little League Days at several locations throughout the summer. Learn more about the AUSL, including the full schedule, at TheAUSL.com.
LLWS™ First-Round Pairings
Be sure to tune in to YouTube.com/LittleLeague and LittleLeague.org during National Little League Week (June 8-14) as the first-round matchups of the 2026 Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, are set to be announced via random drawing on Tuesday, June 9. To learn more about this year’s event, including visitor information and how to book your trip to experience the Region Tournaments or any of the Little League, Junior League, or Senior League Softball World Series, check out LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
Historic Softball Broadcast Schedule
Kicking off with a Little League Softball Central Region matchup between Nebraska and Illinois on Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, more than 150 softball games will be played across ESPN platforms, with more than 30 games broadcast on linear television, including all seven U.S. region championships and the entirety of the LLSWS. Building on the record-setting 2025 Championship Game, which was the most-watched Little League Softball game ever with an average viewership of 1.44 million, ESPN will end the summer with the Championship Game again airing on ABC on Sunday, July 9.
Girls with Game® Experience
For the fifth-straight year, Little League’s Summer of Softball will end in the birthplace of Little League as four NCAA Division I collegiate softball teams travel to the home of the Little League Baseball® World Series for the 2026 Girls with Game® Experience, set to be held at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on October 17, 2026. New this year, the experience will carry into a second day on October 18, with a position-specific development clinic and a third collegiate softball game at Lamade Stadium. While the collegiate teams participating in the three exhibition games on Saturday and Sunday will be announced later this summer, registration for the softball clinic that provides access to this unique opportunity is officially open.
Shop Girls with Game and Softball Merchandise
Looking to show off your softball pride this summer? Be sure to visit ShopLittleLeague.org for all your favorite Girls with Game merchandise and softball banners, apparel, souvenirs, and more.
In addition to everything outlined above, Little League will join the world in celebration of World Softball Day on June 13. To learn more about the Little League Softball Program, including how to find or start a league near you, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball.