Get ready, Lady Vols fans—Tennessee softball is set to make some noise in the 2026 NCAA Tournament! After being selected as the No. 7 national seed on May 10, the Lady Vols (42-10) will host the Knoxville regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium from May 15-17.
The action kicks off on Friday, May 15, with Tennessee facing Northern Kentucky (26-23) at 5:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network. But that's just the start—the Lady Vols will also welcome No. 26 overall seed Virginia and Indiana to Rocky Top. In the second game of the day, Virginia and Indiana will square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
This marks Tennessee's 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance and its 22nd consecutive trip to the big dance. Even more impressive? It's the 21st straight year the Lady Vols have hosted a regional in Knoxville—a testament to the program's enduring dominance and the electric atmosphere at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The double-elimination format means every pitch counts. After Friday's openers, two elimination games are set for Saturday, May 16, with the regional championship on Sunday, May 17. The team coming out of the losers' bracket will need to win twice to claim the title.
The stakes are high: the regional winner advances to the super regionals (May 21-24) and will face the victor of No. 10 overall seed Georgia's regional, which includes Charleston, UNC Greensboro, and Clemson. From there, it's on to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, starting May 28.
Whether you're cheering from the stands or repping your Lady Vols gear at home, this is a tournament run you won't want to miss. Let's go, Tennessee!