Texas A&M announced on Apr. 16 that Davis Diamond will be the site of the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Championship, with events scheduled for July 23-26. The series will include a play-in game and a best-of-three championship, with national broadcasts planned.
The announcement marks a significant event for both Texas A&M and College Station, as it brings professional softball to one of the country’s prominent collegiate venues. The AUSL Championship is expected to draw attention from fans and athletes nationwide.
Texas A&M head coach Trisha Ford said, “What an honor to be selected to host the AUSL Championship Series. I want to thank our administration and everyone who put so much time and effort into this, along with AUSL and their organization, to bring high-level professional softball here to Davis Diamond. We are truly excited to open our doors this summer and give this community the opportunity to witness the best players in the game competing for a championship.”
Kim Ng, AUSL Commissioner, said, “We’re thrilled to bring the AUSL Championship to College Station and Texas A&M. This is one of the top softball venues in the country, and College Station has established itself as a premier destination for major sporting events. The combination of elite facilities, a passionate fan base and a strong local partnership makes this an ideal setting for our championship weekend.” Tori Vidales ’18 of Portland Cascade described hosting at her alma mater as “next level,” while Amanda Scarborough ’15 called it an event that places Texas A&M “at the center of a rising professional league.” Jami Lobpries ’08 noted it was meaningful for her as General Manager of Portland Cascade: “To now have the opportunity…to potentially bring a professional championship back to Aggieland is incredibly meaningful…I’m excited to see Davis Diamond and our Aggie community take center stage—showcasing the game at its highest level.” John Nichols, Mayor of College Station, added that hosting reflects their strong partnership with Texas A&M.
The play-in game between second- and third-ranked teams will take place on Thursday evening on ESPN; Game 1 of the championship series airs Saturday afternoon on ABC—the first time professional softball appears on network television—with subsequent games broadcast by ESPN networks if necessary.
The regular season begins June 9 featuring six teams: Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and defending champion Utah Talons. Tickets go on sale April 17 through www.theausl.com.
