Softball fans, get ready for an exciting doubleheader of action! The 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament is set to showcase the nation's best collegiate talent, featuring stars like Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady, UCLA's Megan Grant, and Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens. Over three thrilling weeks, more than 120 games will be broadcast across the ESPN family of networks, making it a must-watch event for every softball enthusiast.
But the excitement doesn't stop there. This tournament is also your chance to spot the future stars of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). As college players wrap up their seasons—potentially with a trip to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series—many will transition to the professional ranks.
Take Karlyn Pickens, for example. The Tennessee Lady Vols' senior right-handed pitcher, who owns four career no-hitters and the fastest pitch in college softball history, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 AUSL College Draft by the Carolina Blaze. She enters the Knoxville Regional with an impressive 1.58 ERA, ranking 11th nationally.
The 2026 AUSL season kicks off on Tuesday, June 9, with a coast-to-coast triple-header across three cities, including games featuring two new expansion teams. But what exactly is the AUSL? Let's break it down.
The AUSL is a city-based professional women's softball league entering its second season in 2026. Last year, the league debuted with four teams traveling to 10 different cities for a 24-game season. Originally launched as Athletes Unlimited in 2020, it rebranded and was announced as the AUSL in 2024. Major League Baseball holds a strategic investment and equity stake in the league, and former Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng—the first female GM in MLB history—serves as commissioner. For players, the average salary last season was $40,000, with opportunities to earn up to $80,000 in bonuses.
As you follow the NCAA Tournament, keep an eye on the AUSL-bound players competing in the postseason—they're the future of professional softball, and their journey starts now.