COLUMBUS, Ga. – The 2026 NAIA Softball World Series is set for first pitch at South Commons Complex, the home of the 1996 Olympic Women’s Fastpitch competition. Ten teams punched their tickets to Columbus last week through various NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round sites.

The World Series features a double-elimination format, and one of the 10 teams competing for the coveted Red Banner knows exactly what it takes to play with its back against the wall: defending national champion Southern Oregon.

The Raiders dropped their first game of the 2025 World Series to Marian (Ind.), which also returns to Columbus this season, before battling back through the elimination bracket. Southern Oregon forced the “if necessary” game against Oklahoma City and secured its fourth national title in program history.

Mobile (Ala.) has reached the World Series more than any other team in the field. Southern Oregon and Marian are making their eighth appearances at the final site, while Madonna (Mich.) is making its seventh and Indiana Wesleyan its fifth. Cumberlands (Ky.) is making its fourth appearance, Southeastern (Fla.) its third, while British Columbia and College of Idaho have both reached the final site for the first time.

Looking at this year’s bracket, Madonna and Southeastern will each receive an extra day in Columbus before taking the field for the first time Friday, May 22. The other eight teams open play Thursday, May 21, beginning with a Crossroads League matchup between No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan and No. 9 Marian at 10 a.m. ET.

Game two will feature No. 4 Mobile against No. 5 Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) at 1 p.m. ET. In the evening session, defending national champion and No. 3 seed Southern Oregon will face No. 6 Cumberlands (Ky.) at 4 p.m. ET. The nightcap will feature another matchup of conference foes as No. 7 College of Idaho takes on No. 10 British Columbia.

The winners of games two and three will receive a rest day Friday before returning to the field Saturday, May 23, at 4 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET, respectively. The winner of game one will face Madonna on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while the winner of game four will meet Southeastern at 4 p.m. ET.

Before the Crusaders and Fire make their tournament debuts Friday evening, two teams will see their seasons come to an end. Game five at 10 a.m. ET will feature the losers of games one and two, followed by the losers of games three and four at 1 p.m. ET.

The remainder of the tournament continues Saturday, May 23, with four games beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Following an off day Sunday, play resumes Monday and Tuesday, May 25-26, with three games scheduled each day beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

The 2026 NAIA Softball National Champion will be crowned Wednesday, May 27, in either game 18 or the “if necessary” game 19. Game 18 is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, with game 19, if necessary, beginning 45 minutes after the conclusion of game 18.

Fans can follow all the action from Columbus, Ga., from first pitch Thursday through the presentation of the Red Banner on Wednesday, May 27, live and free worldwide on the NAIA Network and Urban Edge Network, along with access to the tournament schedule, ticket information, and bracket throughout the week.