Top 25 College Softball Teams to Watch in 2026 Season

The 2026 college softball season is almost here. Fans are buzzing after the preseason rankings dropped.

The ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 lists Texas and Texas Tech, last year’s WCWS champs and runners-up, tied at number one. Oklahoma and Tennessee, both semifinalists last season, follow close behind.

The first games kick off on February 5. Teams everywhere are prepping for what could be a wild ride to the championship.

Top Teams to Watch

The Texas Longhorns finished 2025 with a 56-12 record and the WCWS title. They’ll open their 2026 campaign on February 6 at Nebraska—should be quite the test right out of the gate.

Texas Tech, last year’s runners-up, went 54-14 and start their season against McNeese State on February 5. Both teams look hungry.

Other Contenders

Oklahoma and Tennessee are worth keeping an eye on. Oklahoma had a 52-9 record and will face Arizona State on February 5.

Tennessee, who finished 47-14, will open against BYU that same day. Both squads bring a lot of consistency and, honestly, a bit of swagger.

Teams with Potential

Florida, Alabama, and UCLA could shake things up. Florida went 54-10 last year and plays Missouri on February 6.

Alabama, with a 48-17 record, faces Illinois State to start. UCLA, who finished 49-12, meets Samford on February 5. There’s some real depth in this field.

Dark Horses

Washington, Arizona, and Oregon might just surprise us. Washington, 44-14 last season, opens against Virginia on February 6.

Arizona, who finished 43-15, plays Washington that day. Oregon, also at 43-15, takes on UC Santa Barbara. Don’t count any of them out.

Key Matchups to Start the Season

The early schedule has some real gems. Texas versus Nebraska on February 6 stands out—defending champs against a tough opponent always makes for good drama.

Texas Tech takes on McNeese State on February 5, starting their climb back after last season’s heartbreak. There’s a bit of tension in the air for that one.

Exciting Openers

Oklahoma vs. Arizona State and Tennessee vs. BYU, both on February 5, should be fun. These games will give us a first look at who’s hot—or maybe who’s still shaking off the rust.

Florida and Missouri face off February 6, and that matchup could get wild. Two powerhouse programs, one early test.

How to Follow the Action

You can catch games across ESPN’s family of channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, Big 12 Now on ESPN+, ESPN3, ESPN+, SEC Network+, and ACCNX. The ESPN website will have the full scoreboard and updates, so you won’t miss a beat.

Streaming Options

The ESPN App makes it easy to follow along anywhere. If you’re really into softball, ESPN+ has a bunch of extra content and exclusive games—definitely worth it for the die-hards.

Conclusion

The 2026 college softball season is shaping up to be a wild ride. Texas and Texas Tech look ready to make some noise at the top.

Fans have a lot to look forward to—big games, surprise upsets, and those jaw-dropping plays that get everyone talking. Want to keep up? Catch the action on ESPN and check out the latest rankings and scores here.