As we celebrate the 67th National Little League® Week and the official kickoff to the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season, Little League International is excited to announce the first-round pairings of the 2026 Little League Softball® World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods (LLSWS), as the Summer of Softball™ heats up.
Divided into the Purple and Orange brackets, below are the randomly drawn first-round pairings for the 2026 LLSWS featuring all 12 teams from around the globe (all times ET and subject to change):
Sunday, August 2
- Game 1 (Purple): Northwest vs. Southeast
- Game 2 (Orange): Mid-Atlantic vs. Asia-Pacific
- Game 3 (Orange): West vs. Central
- Game 4 (Purple): Canada vs. North Carolina
Monday, August 3
- Game 5 (Orange): Winner of Game 2 vs. Latin America
- Game 6 (Purple): Winner of Game 1 vs. Europe and Africa
- Game 7 (Purple): Winner of Game 4 vs. Southwest
- Game 8 (Orange): Winner of Game 3 vs. New England
With Game 1 of the Purple Bracket kicking off the series on Sunday, August 2, this year’s historic international tournament will run through Sunday, August 9, with all 22 games scheduled to air on linear ESPN platforms for the first time in the event’s history.
Home and away designations will be decided via coin flip during the manager briefings held before the start of the tournament. The random drawings were once again held so the regions that received a bye in the 2025 LLSWS would not receive a bye in 2026.
In addition to the fun on the diamond at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park, this year’s event will again welcome professional superstars to Greenville for the AUSL Pro Game at the LLSWS, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, on Wednesday, August 5, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Like years past, the AUSL athletes will also spend two days at the home of the LSWS, interacting with participants for a day of fun and excitement, all while serving as role models for the young athletes. New this year, softball icons Natasha Watley and Lisa Fernandez will serve as head coaches for the event, bringing additional role models and an enhanced experience for the LLSWS at the event.
The official brackets for each of the U.S. Region Tournaments for this event have been released and are available on their respective tournament websites at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries. To learn more about the 2026 Little League Softball World Series, including information on how to book your trip to take part in this iconic Summer of Softball event, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries. Plus, don’t forget to download the LLWS™ App, your one-stop shop to stay in the know at this year’s tournaments.
Along with all the fun and excitement on the field in Stallings Stadium, there are plenty of opportunities off the field throughout the complex at Elm Street Park, including the World Series Fan Zone and family-fun options throughout the City of Greenville, thanks to the dedicated support of the entire Greenville community.
Looking to buy all your favorite softball apparel, merchandise, and more? Be sure to check out ShopLittleLeague.org to find your favorites and show your support for the Little League Softball program all summer long with free shipping on all U.S. orders.