Host cities, schedule unveiled for Athletes Unlimited Softball League 2026
Following a breakout inaugural season last year, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), announced the host cities and venues for 2026, marking a watershed moment for the league and for professional softball.
With teams spanning six Top 50 U.S. media markets and two of the nation’s leading innovation hubs and fastest-growing cities, the announcement cements AUSL’s transition to a fully city-based league and reflects the widespread resonance of softball across the United States.
This milestone builds on a historic inaugural season fueled by sellout crowds, record viewership and social engagement, a strategic investment by Major League Baseball, expansion to six teams, and a multi-year media rights renewal with ESPN.
After evaluating numerous potential markets against a comprehensive set of criteria, each AUSL host city was ultimately selected for its authentic connection to softball, demonstrated support for women’s sports, access to professional-calibre facilities and ability to serve as a long-term home for professional teams. Together, these markets reflect the nationwide resonance of softball across the United States and AUSL’s commitment to building a league rooted in community, culture, and competitive excellence.
The six teams and their home venues are:
- CAROLINA BLAZE – Smith Family Stadium at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina
- CHICAGO BANDITS – The Stadium at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont
- OKLAHOMA CITY SPARK – Tom Heath Field at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City
- PORTLAND CASCADE – Hillsboro Ballpark in Hillsboro, Oregon
- TEXAS VOLTS – Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas
- UTAH TALONS – Dumke Family Stadium at University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah
“These host cities represent the next major chapter of the AUSL’s growth,” said Kim Ng, Commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. “We are building on the momentum of an historic inaugural season by establishing franchises in markets with strong softball traditions, proven fan engagement, and the infrastructure to support a world-class professional experience. This is about creating lasting connections between our athletes, our teams, and the communities they represent, and setting up the sport of softball for long-term success at the professional level.”
The 2026 AUSL regular season will begin June 9 with an Opening Day featuring all six teams - the Utah Talons hosting the Chicago Bandits, the Carolina Blaze hosting the Portland Cascade and the Oklahoma City Spark hosting the Texas Volts.
Full schedule available here.
The AUSL playoff format will expand to include a play-in game between the second- and third-ranked teams, with the top performing team earning a bye into the best-of-three AUSL Championship. The AUSL Championship and play-in game will take place at a neutral site, to be announced at a later date.
Following the AUSL Championship, a select group of players will be chosen to compete in the AUSL All-Star Cup, a high-stakes showdown held in Rosemont to crown the ultimate individual softball champion utilising the innovative Athletes Unlimited format.