The road to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City officially begins this Friday, as the 2026 NCAA softball tournament kicks off with first-round regional action across the country. It's a thrilling start to what promises to be a weekend of high-stakes, bracket-busting softball, where every pitch counts and every at-bat could be the one that sets a team on a path to glory.
Friday's schedule sets the stage for the weekend's drama. In each regional, the top-seeded host team takes on the No. 4 seed, while the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds face off in the other matchup. The winners advance to Saturday's winners' bracket, while the losers fight for survival in the elimination bracket—meaning half the field will be sent packing by the end of the weekend. It's a familiar, exciting format that rewards consistency and punishes early mistakes.
Here's your region-by-region guide to Friday's games, including how to watch each matchup. All times are listed in Eastern Time.
SEC Network (SECN) & ESPN Networks Highlights:
The action starts early with No. 6 Florida hosting Florida A&M at 11 a.m. on SECN. That's followed by No. 1 Alabama taking on USC Upstate at 1 p.m., also on SECN. Later, No. 3 Oklahoma faces Binghamton at 3:30 p.m., and No. 7 Tennessee meets Northern Kentucky at 5:30 p.m.—all on SECN. No. 8 UCLA wraps up the night against California Baptist at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
ESPNU & ACC Network (ACCN) Matchups:
Tune into ESPNU at 12 p.m. for No. 9 Florida State vs. Stetson, then catch Louisville vs. Grand Canyon at 4 p.m. On ACCN at 4:30 p.m., Clemson takes on UNC Greensboro.
ESPN+ Exclusive Games:
For streaming fans, ESPN+ has a packed slate. Highlights include No. 4 Nebraska vs. South Dakota at 6:30 p.m., No. 11 Texas Tech vs. Marist at 4:30 p.m., and No. 13 Oklahoma State vs. Eastern Illinois at 4:30 p.m. Other can't-miss matchups include Texas State vs. Georgia Tech at 1:30 p.m., South Carolina vs. Cal State Fullerton at 7:30 p.m., and Jacksonville State vs. UCF at 2:30 p.m.
Full Friday Schedule (All Times ET):
- No. 6 Florida vs. Florida A&M (11 a.m., SECN)
- No. 9 Florida State vs. Stetson (12 p.m., ESPNU)
- No. 1 Alabama vs. USC Upstate (1 p.m., SECN)
- Texas State vs. Georgia Tech (1:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- Jacksonville State vs. UCF (2:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- No. 3 Oklahoma vs. Binghamton (3:30 p.m., SECN)
- Belmont vs. Southeastern Louisiana (3:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- Louisville vs. Grand Canyon (4 p.m., ESPNU)
- Clemson vs. UNC Greensboro (4:30 p.m., ACCN)
- No. 11 Texas Tech vs. Marist (4:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- No. 13 Oklahoma State vs. Eastern Illinois (4:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- No. 7 Tennessee vs. Northern Kentucky (5:30 p.m., SECN)
- No. 4 Nebraska vs. South Dakota (6:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- Charleston vs. No. 10 Georgia (7 p.m., ESPN+)
- South Carolina vs. Cal State Fullerton (7:30 p.m., ESPN+)
- South Florida vs. Washington (8 p.m., ESPNU)
- California Baptist vs. No. 8 UCLA (10 p.m., ESPN2)
Whether you're cheering on a powerhouse like Oklahoma or an underdog like Marist, Friday's games are your first chance to see who has the grit and talent to make a deep run. Grab your gear, settle in, and get ready for a weekend of unforgettable softball.