- Nearly 150 games across ESPN linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and ACC Network
- 16 top 10 regular season matchups
- Nearly 2,600 regular season games on ESPN+
- Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Returns for Seventh Year
- Conference Championships: Big 12, ACC and SEC all slated for ESPN; American, Sun Belt airing on ESPN2
ESPN is ready for another season of industry-leading coverage of Division I college softball, with nearly 150 matchups across its linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and ACC Network. The remaining 3,100+ games will be streamed on ESPN+, SECN+ and ACCNX.
All 3,200+ games will be available to stream on the ESPN App via ESPN DTC or Pay TV authentication.
This year marks a record-setting number of games on ESPN, with 16 top matchups across the network.
The action begins with the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational – ESPN Events’ owned-and-operated softball tournament – showcasing 16 teams in 40 games over the course of four days (Feb. 12-15). Details regarding participating teams, schedule of play and commentator teams can be found here.
ESPN continues to lead the way with softball coverage, featuring all the top stars throughout the year. The biggest names in the game take center stage, beginning in Clearwater, Fla., as NiJaree Canady, Jordy (Bahl) Frahm and Karlyn Pickens take their place in the circle.
Schedule Highlights:
- Appearances by 24 of the com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25 on ESPN networks in the regular season
- Nearly 55 regular season television appearances by the preseason Top 5 teams: Texas (14 appearances), Texas Tech (10), Oklahoma (15) and Tennessee (15)
- 16 Top 10 matchups across ESPN networks
- 12: No. 7 Florida State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech (ESPN2, 1 p.m. ET)
- 13: No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Nebraska (ESPN2, noon)
- 14: No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 4 Tennessee (ESPNU, 4 p.m.)
- 14: No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 7 Florida State (ESPN+, 7 p.m.)
- 15: No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 Nebraska (ESPN, 6 p.m.)
- 15: No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Florida State (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
- 18: No. 1 Texas Tech at No. 7 Florida State (ACC Network, 6 p.m.)
- 22: No. 4 Tennessee at No. 6 Florida (ESPN2, noon)
- 27: No. 6 Florida at No. 8 Arkansas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
- 10: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
- 11: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
- 12: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN, 2 p.m.)
- 17: No. 8 Arkansas at No. 3 Oklahoma (ESPN2, 8 p.m.)
- 22: No. 6 Florida at No. 7 Florida State (ESPN2, 6 p.m.)
- 28: No. 7 Florida State at No. 6 Florida (SEC Network, 7 p.m.)
- 30: No. 8 Arkansas at No. 1 Texas (SEC Network, 7 p.m.)
SEC Network
SEC Network will highlight more than 55 matchups throughout the regular season leading into the SEC Tournament in Lexington, Ky. (May 5-9). As in previous years, SEC Network is set to televise the early rounds of the tournament, with the semifinals and championship game on ESPN. SEC Network+ will feature more than 275 additional SEC softball games.
As touted in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25, 11 SEC squads find themselves amongst the ranks: Texas (No. 1), Oklahoma (No. 3), Tennessee (No. 4), Florida (No. 6), Arkansas (No. 8), Texas A&M (No. 11), LSU (No. 13), South Carolina (No. 14), Georgia (No. 15), Alabama (No. 16), Ole Miss (No. 22).
ACC Network
ACC Network will feature more than 45 regular season games on linear. The entirety of the tournament through the semifinals will air on the network, with the championship game slated for ESPN. ACC Network Extra will stream more than 275 additional ACC softball games during the 2026 season.
The ACC boasts five teams in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25: Florida State (No. 7), Clemson (No. 12), Stanford (No. 17), Duke (No. 19) and Virginia Tech (No. 21).
Big 12
Big 12 coverage on ESPN networks is led by the top-ranked Texas Tech Raiders, who appear on ESPN linear networks 10 times, along with numerous ESPN+ appearances. The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats and the 20th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls combine for 10 linear appearances throughout the 2026 season.
ESPN+
ESPN+ will highlight almost 2,600 regular season games representing 22 conferences including the American, America East, Atlantic Ten, ASUN, Big 12, Big East, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Conference USA, Horizon League, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, SoCon, Southland, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic conferences.
During the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, ESPN+ will stream teams from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, American and Sun Belt conferences. All games throughout the four-day invitational can be found on the ESPN App.
Additionally, ESPN+ will showcase eight top 25 matchups in the first week of Feb.
- Feb 5: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (2 p.m.)
- Feb 5: 9 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Texas (7 p.m.)
- Feb 6: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (2 p.m.)
- Feb 6: 9 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Texas (7 p.m.)
- Feb 7: 1 Texas vs. No. 25 Washington (2 p.m.)
- Feb 7: 1 Texas vs. No. 9 Nebraska (4:30 p.m.)
- Feb 8: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (11 a.m.)
- Feb 8: 25 Washington vs. No. 1 Texas (1:30 p.m.)
Conference Championships
For the second straight year, ESPN is home to a tripleheader of Conference Championships on Saturday, May 9. Action starts off with the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship at noon from Oklahoma City, Okla. and play rolls on with a 2:30 p.m. first pitch from the ACC Championship in Charlottesville, Va. Rounding out the day of championships on ESPN at 5 p.m. is the SEC Championship Presented by T-Mobile 5G Home Internet from Lexington, Ky.
Also on Saturday, the American and Sun Belt Conferences will crown their champions on ESPN2. The American’s first pitch from Greenville, N.C. is slated for noon, followed by the Sun Belt Conference title game at 2:30 p.m. from Lafayette, La.
The Road to the Women’s College World Series
ESPN is once again the exclusive home of the NCAA Division I Softball postseason, from the Selection Show to every pitch of the NCAA Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. (May 28-June 4/5).
2026 NCAA Division I Regular Season Softball Schedule – ESPN Networks
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platform |
| Thu, Feb 12 | 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. No. 13 LSU | ESPN2 |
| 11 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 15 Georgia | SEC Network | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 7 Florida State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech | ESPN2 | |
| 3 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 13 LSU vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State | ESPN2 | |
| 4 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. No. 15 Georgia | ESPN+ | |
| 6 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. Northwestern | ESPN+ | |
| Fri, Feb 13 | 9 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational NC State vs. No. 15 Georgia | SEC Network |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 11 Texas A&M | ESPN2 | |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Northwestern vs. UCF | ESPN+ | |
| Noon | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Nebraska | ESPN2 | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 19 Duke vs. No. 11 Texas A&M | ESPN+ | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. UCF | ESPN+ | |
| 12:30 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. NC State | ACC Network | |
| 3 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State | ESPNU | |
| 4 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. FAU | ESPN+ | |
| 4:30 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 19 Duke vs. No. 13 LSU | ESPN+ | |
| 5 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. JMU | ESPN+ | |
| 6 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. Missouri | ESPN+ | |
| 7 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 7 Florida State vs. FAU | ESPN+ | |
| Sat, Feb 14 | 9 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 11 Texas A&M vs. NC State | ACC Network |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 19 Duke | ESPN2 | |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational UCF vs. No. 13 LSU |
SEC Network | |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. Northwestern | ESPN+ | |
| Noon | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational FAU vs. No. 4 Tennessee |
ESPN+ | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational NC State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech |
ESPN+ | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. Northwestern | ESPN+ | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. UCF | ESPN+ | |
| 3 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational FAU vs. Missouri | ESPN+ | |
| 4 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 4 Tennessee | ESPNU | |
| 4 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. No. 19 Duke | ESPN+ | |
| 4:30 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational JMU vs. No. 1 Texas Tech | ESPN+ | |
| 7 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 7 Florida State | ESPN+ | |
| Sun, Feb 15 | 9 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational JMU vs. No. 11 Texas A&M | SEC Network |
| 9 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. No. 19 Duke | ACC Network | |
| 10 a.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 13 LSU vs. No. 10 UCLA | ESPN2 | |
| Noon | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Northwestern vs. No. 11 Texas A&M | ESPN2 | |
| Noon | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational UCF vs. NC State | ESPN+ | |
| 1 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational FAU vs. JMU | ESPN+ | |
| 6 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 Nebraska | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Florida State | ESPN | |
| Wed, Feb 25 | 6 p.m. | No. 24 Mississippi State at Georgia Tech | ACC Network |
| Fri, Feb 27 | 5 p.m. | Notre Dame at Georgia Tech | ACC Network |
| Sun, Mar 1 | 6 p.m. | No. 17 Stanford at Louisville | ACC Network |
| Sun, Mar 8 | Noon | No. 1 Texas at No. 14 South Carolina | SEC Network |
| 2 p.m. | No. 13 LSU at No. 4 Tennessee | SEC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Missouri at No. 6 Florida | SEC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | Georgia Tech at No. 12 Clemson | ACC Network | |
| Mon, Mar 9 | 7 p.m. | Missouri at No. 6 Florida | SEC Network |
| Tue, Mar 10 | 6 p.m. | No. 19 Duke at No. 14 South Carolina | SEC Network |
| 8 p.m. | Samford at No. 16 Alabama | SEC Network | |
| Wed, Mar 11 | 6 p.m. | Robert Morris at Pittsburgh | ACC Network |
| 8 p.m. | South Alabama at No. 7 Florida State | ACC Network | |
| Sat, Mar 14 | Noon | No. 6 Florida at Kentucky | SEC Network |
| 2 p.m. | No. 21 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network | |
| Sun, Mar 15 | 1 p.m. | Georgia Tech at Virginia | ACC Network |
| 1 p.m. | Auburn at No. 3 Oklahoma | SEC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 21 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 13 LSU | SEC Network | |
| Mon, Mar 16 | 7 p.m. | No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 13 LSU | SEC Network |
| Tue, Mar 17 | 6 p.m. | UNCW at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network |
| Noon | Central Arkansas at No. 8 Arkansas | SEC Network | |
| Wed, Mar 18 | 6 p.m. | No. 1 Texas Tech at No. 7 Florida State | ACC Network |
| 6 p.m. | Louisiana Tech at No. 22 Ole Miss | SEC Network | |
| 8 p.m. | UAB at No. 24 Mississippi State | SEC Network | |
| Fri, Mar 20 | 6 p.m. | California at No. 7 Florida State | ACC Network |
| 6 p.m. | No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 15 Georgia | SEC Network | |
| Sun, Mar 22 | Noon | No. 4 Tennessee at No. 6 Florida | ESPN2 |
| 4 p.m. | No. 19 Duke at Georgia Tech | ACC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 17 Stanford at North Carolina | ACC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 22 Ole Miss | SEC Network | |
| Mon, Mar 23 | 7 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 22 Ole Miss | SEC Network |
| Wed, Mar 25 | 5:30 p.m. | Louisville at Kentucky | SEC Network |
| 6 p.m. | Arizona State at NC State | ACC Network | |
| 7:30 p.m. | No. 12 Clemson at No. 14 South Carolina | SEC Network | |
| 8 p.m. | No. 23 Liberty at Virginia | ACC Network | |
| Fri, Mar 27 | 6 p.m. | No. 17 Stanford at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network |
| 6 p.m. | No. 22 Ole Miss at No. 4 Tennessee | SEC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 6 Florida at No. 8 Arkansas | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, Mar 28 | Noon | No. 7 Florida State at No. 12 Clemson | ACC Network |
| Noon | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 13 LSU | SEC Network | |
| 2 p.m. | No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 1 Texas | ESPN2 | |
| 5 p.m. | No. 17 Stanford at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network | |
| Sun, Mar 29 | Noon | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 13 LSU | ESPN |
| 1 p.m. | California at Notre Dame | ACC Network | |
| 2 p.m. | No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 1 Texas | ESPN | |
| 4 p.m. | Wichita State at USF | ESPNU | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at No. 12 Clemson | ACC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 14 South Carolina at No. 24 Mississippi State | SEC Network | |
| Mon, Mar 30 | 7 p.m. | No. 14 South Carolina at No. 24 Mississippi State | SEC Network |
| Tue, Mar 31 | 6 p.m. | Penn State at Pittsburgh | ACC Network |
| 6 p.m. | Wichita State at No. 3 Oklahoma | SEC Network | |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 6 p.m. | Mercer at Georgia Tech | ACC Network |
| Fri, Apr 3 | 8:30 p.m. | No. 1 Texas at No. 16 Alabama | SEC Network |
| Sat, Apr 4 | 11:30 a.m. | No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 6 Florida | SEC Network |
| 2 p.m. | Notre Dame at No. 7 Florida State | ACC Network | |
| 1:30 p.m. | No. 15 Georgia at No. 11 Texas A&M | SEC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Garner Webb at SC Upstate | ESPNU | |
| 3:30 p.m. | No. 13 LSU at Missouri | SEC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 1 Texas at No. 16 Alabama | ESPN | |
| 5:30 p.m. | No. 14 South Carolina at No. 4 Tennessee | SEC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 12 Clemson at No. 21 Virginia Tech | ACC Network | |
| Sun, Apr 5 | 4 p.m. | Auburn at No. 8 Arkansas | SEC Network |
| Mon, Apr 6 | 7 p.m. | Auburn at No. 8 Arkansas | SEC Network |
| Tue, Apr 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Samford at No. 22 Ole Miss | SEC Network |
| Wed, Apr 8 | 6 p.m. | Morehead State at Kentucky | SEC Network |
| 7 p.m. | USF at No. 6 Florida | ESPN2 | |
| 8 p.m. | Queens at North Carolina | ACC Network | |
| Fri, Apr 10 | 6 p.m. | No. 12 Clemson at Pittsburgh | ACC Network |
| 6 p.m. | No. 6 Florida at No. 14 South Carolina | SEC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas | ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at No. 17 Stanford | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, Apr 11 | 1 p.m. | No. 16 Alabama at Auburn | SEC Network |
| 3 p.m. | No. 6 Florida at No. 14 South Carolina | SEC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | No. 12 Clemson at Pittsburgh | ACC Network | |
| 8 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas | ESPN | |
| 10 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at No. 17 Stanford | ESPN | |
| Sun, Apr 12 | Noon | No. 18 Arizona at No. 13 LSU | ESPN |
| 2 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas | ESPN | |
| 4 p.m. | No. 21 Virginia Tech at Virginia | ACC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | California at NC State | ACC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 4 Tennessee at Kentucky | SEC Network | |
| Mon, Apr 13 | 7 p.m. | No. 4 Tennessee at Kentucky | SEC Network |
| Tue, Apr 14 | 6 p.m. | No. 14 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson | ACC Network |
| Wed, Apr 15 | 6 p.m. | Northwestern at Notre Dame | ACC Network |
| 7 p.m. | No. 4 Tennessee at No. 19 Duke | ESPN2 | |
| 8 p.m. | Indiana at Louisville | ACC Network | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 20 Oklahoma State | ESPN2 | |
| Fri, Apr 17 | 6 p.m. | Georgia Tech at No. 21 Virginia Tech | ACC Network |
| 8:30 p.m. | No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 11 Texas A&M | SEC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | Kentucky at No. 16 Alabama | ESPN2 | |
| 8 p.m. | No. 8 Arkansas at No. 3 Oklahoma | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, Apr 18 | 3 p.m. | No. 18 Arizona at No. 20 Oklahoma State | ESPN2 |
| 3 p.m. | North Carolina at No. 7 Florida State | ACC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | No. 1 Texas at No. 15 Georgia | SEC Network | |
| 6 p.m. | No. 14 South Carolina at Missouri | SEC Network | |
| 7 p.m. | Georgia Tech at No. 21 Virginia Tech | ACC Network | |
| Sun, Apr 19 | Noon | No. 1 Texas at No. 15 Georgia | ESPN2 |
| 4 p.m. | Pittsburgh at Louisville | ACC Network | |
| Mon, Apr 20 | 7 p.m. | No. 1 Texas at No. 15 Georgia | SEC Network |
| Wed, Apr 22 | 6 p.m. | No. 6 Florida at No. 7 Florida State | ESPN2 |
| 8 p.m. | No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 1 Texas | ESPN2 | |
| Fri, Apr 24 | 6 p.m. | No. 1 Texas at Kentucky | SEC Network |
| 7 p.m. | No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 14 South Carolina | ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | No. 1 Texas Tech at Arizona State | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, Apr 25 | Noon | No. 12 Clemson at No. 19 Duke | ESPN2 |
| 2:30 p.m. | No. 15 Georgia at No. 3 Oklahoma | ESPN2 | |
| Noon | Missouri at No. 8 Arkansas | SEC Network | |
| 4 p.m. | Long Beach State at CS Fullerton | ESPNU | |
| 5 p.m. | No. 1 Texas Tech at Arizona State | ESPN2 | |
| 3 p.m. | North Carolina at No. 21 Virginia Tech | ACC Network | |
| 5 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at Georgia Tech | ACC Network | |
| Sun, Apr 26 | 1 p.m. | No. 22 Ole Miss at Auburn | SEC Network |
| 4 p.m. | No. 16 Alabama at No. 4 Tennessee | ESPN2 | |
| 5 p.m. | No. 12 Clemson at No. 19 Duke | ACC Network | |
| Mon, Apr 27 | 7 p.m. | No. 16 Alabama at No. 4 Tennessee | SEC Network |
| Tue, Apr 28 | 7 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at No. 6 Florida | SEC Network |
| Wed, Apr 29 | 6 p.m. | DePaul at Notre Dame | ACC Network |
| Thu, Apr 30 | 7 p.m. | No. 8 Arkansas at No. 1 Texas | SEC Network |
| 9 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&M | SEC Network | |
| Fri, May 1 | 6 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&M | SEC Network |
| Sat, May 2 | Noon | No. 6 Florida at No. 15 Georgia | ESPN |
| 2 p.m. | ACC Wildcard | ACC Network | |
| 1 p.m. | No. 4 Tennessee at Missouri | SEC Network | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Baylor at No. 1 Texas Tech | ESPN | |
| 3 p.m. | No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 22 Ole Miss | SEC Network | |
| 5 p.m. | No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&M | ESPN2 | |
| 5 p.m. | Auburn at No. 13 LSU | SEC Network | |
| Sun, May 3 | 6 p.m. | No. 7 Florida State at Boston College | ACC Network |
| Sat, May 8 | 10 p.m. | St. Mary’s at Santa Clara | ESPNU |
