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The Road to OKC: 2026 NCAA Softball Automatic Qualifiers Tracker

Tracking all 31 automatic bids for the 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament
Maren Angus-Coombs|
Texas celebrates the Women's College World Series championship game over Texas Tech at Devon Park, Friday, June 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City.
Texas celebrates the Women's College World Series championship game over Texas Tech at Devon Park, Friday, June 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There are 31 automatic qualifiers for the 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament, and the Road to Oklahoma City begins Thursday, April 30.

Only one conference does not have a tournament, the West Coast Conference, and the automatic qualifier will belong to the regular-season champion.

All conference tournaments will conclude on Saturday, May 9, and Selection Sunday will be May 10.

The selection show will air at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10 on ESPN2.

Track all of the automatic bids with Softball On SI.

America East: Binghamton Bearcats

American: USF Bulls

The USF Bulls repeat as American champs.

ASUN: Stetson Hatters

With a 4-0 shutout of Central Arkansas, the Stetson Hatters are ASUN champs.

Atlantic 10: Fordham Rams

ACC: Florida State Seminoles

Florida State won its 20th ACC title in a 2-1 win over Virginia Tech.

Big 12: Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State hit three home runs and Kenzie Brown struck out nine to give the Sun Devils their first Big 12 Tournament title.

Big EAST: UConn Huskies

The Huskies won their second straight conference title after taking down Creighton in a decisive game two.

Big Sky: Idaho State Bengals

Idaho State was the first program to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. This also marks the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.

Big South: USC Upstate Spartans

Big Ten: Nebraska Cornhuskers

With a 7-2 win over UCLA, Nebraska clinched the Big Ten crowd.

Big West: Cal State Fullerton Titans

CAA: College of Charleston Cougars

The College of Charleston Cougars will return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

Conference USA: Jax State Gamecocks

The Jax State Gamecocks came from behind to beat Liberty and earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

Horizon: Northern Kentucky Norse

Ivy: Princeton Tigers

MAAC: Marist Red Foxes

MAC: Akron Zips

MEAC: Howard Bison

Missouri Valley: Belmont Bruins

Mountain West: Grand Canyon Lopes

In the greatest comeback in GCU softball history, the Lopes managed to take down Nevada 11-10. They were down 9-0 after a disastrous first inning, but marched back with a three-run fifth inning and a four-run seventh inning. 

NEC: Wagner Seahawks

For the first time in program history, the Wagner Seahawks are NEC champs.

Ohio Valley: Eastern Illinois Panthers

Patriot League: Boston University Terriers

The BU Terriers and danvcing for a fourth consecutive year.

SEC: Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns won their first conference tournament title since 2005 and first under Mike White after combining for 13 hits. 

Katie Stewart led the offense, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a solo home run. Ace Tegan Kavan struck out 12 in the complete game victory. 

SoCon: UNCG Spartans

Southland: NcNeese Cowgirls

SWAC: Florida A&M Rattlers

Summit League: South Dakota Coyotes

Sun Belt: South Alabama Jaguars

WCC: Saint Mary's Gaels

For the second time in three years, the Saint Mary's Gaels are NCAA Tournament bound.

WAC: California Baptist Lancers

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Maren Angus-Coombs
MAREN ANGUS-COOMBS

Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. She has been covering college softball since 2016 for various outlets including Softball America, ESPNW and Hurrdat Sports. She is currently the managing editor of Softball On SI and also serves as an analyst for Nebraska softball games on Nebraska Public Media and B1G+.

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