NCAA Softball Tournament Selection Show: When and Where to Watch

The road to the Women’s College World Series is about to become much clearer. After a grueling regular season and conference tournaments filled with upsets and dominant performances, the field for the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament will be revealed this Sunday. For 64 teams, the dream of a national championship will remain alive, while the hopes of over 200 others will be dashed. The selection show is a pivotal moment, setting the stage for weeks of intense competition culminating in Oklahoma City.

Out of the nearly 300 Division I softball programs that began the season with aspirations of hoisting the trophy, only a select few will have the opportunity to battle it out for the ultimate prize. The journey to the Women’s College World Series is a challenging one, requiring a combination of talent, strategy, and a little bit of luck. The selection show unveils the bracket, outlining the path each team must navigate to reach the pinnacle of college softball.

The selection show promises to be a captivating event, filled with anticipation and excitement as teams learn their fates. Fans across the nation will be glued to their screens, eager to see which teams earned coveted spots in the tournament and who their opponents will be. The matchups, seeds, and potential upsets will be dissected and debated, fueling conversations and predictions that will last until the first pitch is thrown.

The Oklahoma Sooners, currently ranked No. 2 nationally, are aiming for an unprecedented fifth consecutive national championship. Their dominance in recent years has been remarkable, establishing them as a dynasty in the world of college softball. Coach Patty Gasso has built a program that consistently competes at the highest level, and the Sooners are once again the team to beat. Their four straight titles are already an NCAA softball record, and they are hungry to extend their historic run.

However, the landscape of college softball is fiercely competitive, and several other teams are poised to challenge the Sooners’ reign. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has emerged as a powerhouse, boasting six of the top seven teams in the latest USA Softball poll. Texas A&M currently holds the No. 1 ranking, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power. The SEC’s depth and talent make it a breeding ground for national championship contenders.

The selection show will not only reveal the participating teams but also determine the regional hosts. These 16 sites will serve as the battlegrounds for the first round of the tournament, with teams vying for a spot in the Super Regionals. The regional format adds another layer of intrigue, as teams must win their respective brackets to advance. Home-field advantage can play a significant role, providing a boost to the host teams.

As the selection show draws near, several burning questions remain unanswered. Which teams will secure at-large bids? What will the seedings look like? Which teams are primed to pull off upsets and disrupt the established order? The answers to these questions will shape the narrative of the tournament and determine which teams ultimately emerge as contenders.

The unveiling of the bracket will spark countless debates and predictions. Experts and fans alike will analyze the matchups, assessing each team’s strengths and weaknesses. The potential for upsets will be a major topic of discussion, as underdogs look to defy expectations and knock off higher-ranked opponents. The NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictable nature, and there are always a few surprises along the way.

The tournament is a single-elimination format, meaning that every game carries significant weight. Teams must be at their best to survive and advance. Pitching depth, timely hitting, and solid defense are all crucial components of a successful tournament run. The pressure of the moment can be intense, and teams must be able to perform under pressure.

The Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City is the ultimate destination, and only eight teams will make it that far. The atmosphere in Oklahoma City is electric, as fans from all over the country converge to witness the crowning of a national champion. The games are intense and dramatic, with every pitch and every play carrying immense significance.

The 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament selection show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 11. Fans can watch the show live on ESPN2. Streaming options are also available through the ESPN app, ESPN+, and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

The tournament kicks off with the regional round on May 16 and culminates with the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City from May 29 through June 5/June 6.

Here are the key dates for the different rounds of the tournament:

• Regionals: May 16-19
• Super Regionals: May 23-26
• Women’s College World Series: May 29 – June 5/6

The 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament promises to be a thrilling event, filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. Be sure to tune in to the selection show to witness the unveiling of the bracket and get a glimpse of the road to the Women’s College World Series.