The spotlight on the Little League Softball® program will be stronger than ever before as ESPN will bring all 22 games of the 2026 Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS), Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, air on linear platforms for the first time in the event’s history.
“As we continue our commitment to all our Girls with Game initiatives, all the inspiring females in our program, and expanding opportunities for softball players overall, we are grateful for our continued relationship with ESPN and their dedication to amplifying the spotlight for our female athletes,” said Patrick Wilson, Little League® President and CEO. “Building on the success of our early-round games and record setting audiences year after year, the evolution of our softball program will continue to shine on youth sports’ brightest stage with millions of fans now being able to watch our games each summer.”
Since its move to Greenville in 2021, and expansion to 12 participating teams the following year, the LLSWS has seen continued growth in coverage with the Championship Game scheduled to air on ABC since 2023. Setting records in 2025 as the most-watched Little League Softball game ever, that year’s Championship Game had an average viewership of 1.44 million (up 139% from the previous year).
“We’re excited to bring every game of the Little League Softball World Series to our linear networks for the first time,” said Ashley O’Connor, ESPN Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions. “The expansion of our Little League Softball World Series schedule underscores ESPN’s ongoing commitment to women’s and girls’ sports and reflects our dedication to growing the game.”
Trusted by parents around the world, the Little League Softball program has seen an approximately 25% increase in team participation since the Girls with Game Initiative first launched in 2019, which included the addition of teams from Japan chartering for the first time during the 2025 season and an appearance at the 2025 LLSWS. The event has seen additional international growth, as well, with a team from Quebec earning its first ever bid in 2024 and Brazil earning a trip alongside Japan in 2025. To learn more about the Little League Softball program, including how to sign up your child or start a league in your own community, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball.
Increased broadcast coverage of Little League Softball tournaments has been a core focus in providing more visibility for female athletes and growing opportunities for young softball players. Little League International has worked with ESPN to expand from just 12 softball games broadcast in 2017 to provide comprehensive coverage of the Little League Softball Region Tournaments and all games of the Junior League Softball and Senior League Softball World Series Tournaments on ESPN Platforms. This summer, ESPN will be airing more than 150 Little League Softball games at all levels of play.
While the full schedule for the LLSWS, and each of the other six World Series events, will be made available in March, the 2026 LLSWS is set to take place on August 2-9, 2026. To learn more about each of the events, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.