MASTERBAKER Sports Thread

ESPN set to showcase more than 3,200 regular season softball games across networks​

Katie Callahan
Katie Callahan
24 hours ago
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  • Nearly 150 games across ESPN linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and ACC Network
  • 16 top 10 regular season matchups
  • Nearly 2,600 regular season games on ESPN+
  • Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Returns for Seventh Year
  • Conference Championships: Big 12, ACC and SEC all slated for ESPN; American, Sun Belt airing on ESPN2
ESPN is ready for another season of industry-leading coverage of Division I college softball, with nearly 150 matchups across its linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and ACC Network. The remaining 3,100+ games will be streamed on ESPN+, SECN+ and ACCNX.
All 3,200+ games will be available to stream on the ESPN App via ESPN DTC or Pay TV authentication.
This year marks a record-setting number of games on ESPN, with 16 top matchups across the network.
The action begins with the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational – ESPN Events’ owned-and-operated softball tournament – showcasing 16 teams in 40 games over the course of four days (Feb. 12-15). Details regarding participating teams, schedule of play and commentator teams can be found here.
ESPN continues to lead the way with softball coverage, featuring all the top stars throughout the year. The biggest names in the game take center stage, beginning in Clearwater, Fla., as NiJaree Canady, Jordy (Bahl) Frahm and Karlyn Pickens take their place in the circle.
Schedule Highlights:
  • Appearances by 24 of the com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25 on ESPN networks in the regular season
  • Nearly 55 regular season television appearances by the preseason Top 5 teams: Texas (14 appearances), Texas Tech (10), Oklahoma (15) and Tennessee (15)
  • 16 Top 10 matchups across ESPN networks
    • 12: No. 7 Florida State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech (ESPN2, 1 p.m. ET)
    • 13: No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Nebraska (ESPN2, noon)
    • 14: No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 4 Tennessee (ESPNU, 4 p.m.)
    • 14: No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 7 Florida State (ESPN+, 7 p.m.)
    • 15: No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 Nebraska (ESPN, 6 p.m.)
    • 15: No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Florida State (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
    • 18: No. 1 Texas Tech at No. 7 Florida State (ACC Network, 6 p.m.)
    • 22: No. 4 Tennessee at No. 6 Florida (ESPN2, noon)
    • 27: No. 6 Florida at No. 8 Arkansas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
    • 10: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
    • 11: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
    • 12: No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 Texas (ESPN, 2 p.m.)
    • 17: No. 8 Arkansas at No. 3 Oklahoma (ESPN2, 8 p.m.)
    • 22: No. 6 Florida at No. 7 Florida State (ESPN2, 6 p.m.)
    • 28: No. 7 Florida State at No. 6 Florida (SEC Network, 7 p.m.)
    • 30: No. 8 Arkansas at No. 1 Texas (SEC Network, 7 p.m.)
SEC Network
SEC Network will highlight more than 55 matchups throughout the regular season leading into the SEC Tournament in Lexington, Ky. (May 5-9). As in previous years, SEC Network is set to televise the early rounds of the tournament, with the semifinals and championship game on ESPN. SEC Network+ will feature more than 275 additional SEC softball games.
As touted in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25, 11 SEC squads find themselves amongst the ranks: Texas (No. 1), Oklahoma (No. 3), Tennessee (No. 4), Florida (No. 6), Arkansas (No. 8), Texas A&M (No. 11), LSU (No. 13), South Carolina (No. 14), Georgia (No. 15), Alabama (No. 16), Ole Miss (No. 22).
ACC Network
ACC Network will feature more than 45 regular season games on linear. The entirety of the tournament through the semifinals will air on the network, with the championship game slated for ESPN. ACC Network Extra will stream more than 275 additional ACC softball games during the 2026 season.
The ACC boasts five teams in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25: Florida State (No. 7), Clemson (No. 12), Stanford (No. 17), Duke (No. 19) and Virginia Tech (No. 21).
Big 12
Big 12 coverage on ESPN networks is led by the top-ranked Texas Tech Raiders, who appear on ESPN linear networks 10 times, along with numerous ESPN+ appearances. The 18th-ranked Arizona Wildcats and the 20th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls combine for 10 linear appearances throughout the 2026 season.
ESPN+
ESPN+ will highlight almost 2,600 regular season games representing 22 conferences including the American, America East, Atlantic Ten, ASUN, Big 12, Big East, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Conference USA, Horizon League, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, SoCon, Southland, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic conferences.
During the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, ESPN+ will stream teams from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, American and Sun Belt conferences. All games throughout the four-day invitational can be found on the ESPN App.
Additionally, ESPN+ will showcase eight top 25 matchups in the first week of Feb.
  • Feb 5: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (2 p.m.)
  • Feb 5: 9 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Texas (7 p.m.)
  • Feb 6: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (2 p.m.)
  • Feb 6: 9 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Texas (7 p.m.)
  • Feb 7: 1 Texas vs. No. 25 Washington (2 p.m.)
  • Feb 7: 1 Texas vs. No. 9 Nebraska (4:30 p.m.)
  • Feb 8: 25 Washington vs. No. 9 Nebraska (11 a.m.)
  • Feb 8: 25 Washington vs. No. 1 Texas (1:30 p.m.)
Conference Championships
For the second straight year, ESPN is home to a tripleheader of Conference Championships on Saturday, May 9. Action starts off with the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship at noon from Oklahoma City, Okla. and play rolls on with a 2:30 p.m. first pitch from the ACC Championship in Charlottesville, Va. Rounding out the day of championships on ESPN at 5 p.m. is the SEC Championship Presented by T-Mobile 5G Home Internet from Lexington, Ky.
Also on Saturday, the American and Sun Belt Conferences will crown their champions on ESPN2. The American’s first pitch from Greenville, N.C. is slated for noon, followed by the Sun Belt Conference title game at 2:30 p.m. from Lafayette, La.
The Road to the Women’s College World Series
ESPN is once again the exclusive home of the NCAA Division I Softball postseason, from the Selection Show to every pitch of the NCAA Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. (May 28-June 4/5).
2026 NCAA Division I Regular Season Softball Schedule – ESPN Networks
DateTime (ET)Game Platform
Thu, Feb 1210 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. No. 13 LSUESPN2
11 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 15 GeorgiaSEC Network
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 7 Florida State vs. No. 1 Texas TechESPN2
3 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 13 LSU vs. No. 20 Oklahoma StateESPN2
4 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. No. 15 GeorgiaESPN+
6 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. NorthwesternESPN+
Fri, Feb 139 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational NC State vs. No. 15 GeorgiaSEC Network
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 11 Texas A&MESPN2
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Northwestern vs. UCFESPN+
NoonShriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 9 NebraskaESPN2
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 19 Duke vs. No. 11 Texas A&MESPN+
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. UCFESPN+
12:30 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. NC StateACC Network
3 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 20 Oklahoma StateESPNU
4 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. FAUESPN+
4:30 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 19 Duke vs. No. 13 LSUESPN+
5 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. JMUESPN+
6 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. MissouriESPN+
7 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 7 Florida State vs. FAUESPN+
Sat, Feb 149 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 11 Texas A&M vs. NC StateACC Network
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 19 DukeESPN2
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
UCF vs. No. 13 LSU
SEC Network
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. NorthwesternESPN+
NoonShriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
FAU vs. No. 4 Tennessee
ESPN+
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
NC State vs. No. 1 Texas Tech
ESPN+
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. NorthwesternESPN+
1:30 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 9 Nebraska vs. UCFESPN+
3 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational FAU vs. MissouriESPN+
4 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 4 TennesseeESPNU
4 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 15 Georgia vs. No. 19 DukeESPN+
4:30 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational JMU vs. No. 1 Texas TechESPN+
7 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 10 UCLA vs. No. 7 Florida StateESPN+
Sun, Feb 159 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational JMU vs. No. 11 Texas A&MSEC Network
9 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Missouri vs. No. 19 DukeACC Network
10 a.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 13 LSU vs. No. 10 UCLAESPN2
NoonShriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Northwestern vs. No. 11 Texas A&MESPN2
NoonShriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational UCF vs. NC StateESPN+
1 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational FAU vs. JMUESPN+
6 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 1 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 NebraskaESPN
8 p.m.Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Florida StateESPN
Wed, Feb 256 p.m.No. 24 Mississippi State at Georgia TechACC Network
Fri, Feb 275 p.m.Notre Dame at Georgia TechACC Network
Sun, Mar 16 p.m.No. 17 Stanford at LouisvilleACC Network
Sun, Mar 8NoonNo. 1 Texas at No. 14 South CarolinaSEC Network
2 p.m.No. 13 LSU at No. 4 TennesseeSEC Network
4 p.m.Missouri at No. 6 FloridaSEC Network
6 p.m.Georgia Tech at No. 12 ClemsonACC Network
Mon, Mar 97 p.m.Missouri at No. 6 FloridaSEC Network
Tue, Mar 10 6 p.m.No. 19 Duke at No. 14 South CarolinaSEC Network
8 p.m.Samford at No. 16 AlabamaSEC Network
Wed, Mar 116 p.m.Robert Morris at PittsburghACC Network
8 p.m.South Alabama at No. 7 Florida StateACC Network
Sat, Mar 14NoonNo. 6 Florida at KentuckySEC Network
2 p.m.No. 21 Virginia Tech at No. 19 DukeACC Network
Sun, Mar 151 p.m.Georgia Tech at VirginiaACC Network
1 p.m.Auburn at No. 3 OklahomaSEC Network
6 p.m.No. 21 Virginia Tech at No. 19 DukeACC Network
7 p.m.No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 13 LSUSEC Network
Mon, Mar 167 p.m.No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 13 LSUSEC Network
Tue, Mar 176 p.m.UNCW at No. 19 DukeACC Network
NoonCentral Arkansas at No. 8 ArkansasSEC Network
Wed, Mar 186 p.m.No. 1 Texas Tech at No. 7 Florida StateACC Network
6 p.m.Louisiana Tech at No. 22 Ole MissSEC Network
8 p.m.UAB at No. 24 Mississippi StateSEC Network
Fri, Mar 206 p.m.California at No. 7 Florida StateACC Network
6 p.m.No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 15 GeorgiaSEC Network
Sun, Mar 22NoonNo. 4 Tennessee at No. 6 FloridaESPN2
4 p.m.No. 19 Duke at Georgia TechACC Network
6 p.m.No. 17 Stanford at North CarolinaACC Network
7 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 22 Ole MissSEC Network
Mon, Mar 237 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 22 Ole MissSEC Network
Wed, Mar 255:30 p.m.Louisville at KentuckySEC Network
6 p.m.Arizona State at NC StateACC Network
7:30 p.m.No. 12 Clemson at No. 14 South CarolinaSEC Network
8 p.m.No. 23 Liberty at VirginiaACC Network
Fri, Mar 276 p.m.No. 17 Stanford at No. 19 DukeACC Network
6 p.m.No. 22 Ole Miss at No. 4 TennesseeSEC Network
7 p.m.No. 6 Florida at No. 8 ArkansasESPN2
Sat, Mar 28NoonNo. 7 Florida State at No. 12 ClemsonACC Network
NoonNo. 3 Oklahoma at No. 13 LSUSEC Network
2 p.m.No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 1 TexasESPN2
5 p.m.No. 17 Stanford at No. 19 DukeACC Network
Sun, Mar 29NoonNo. 3 Oklahoma at No. 13 LSUESPN
1 p.m.California at Notre DameACC Network
2 p.m.No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 1 TexasESPN
4 p.m.Wichita State at USFESPNU
6 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at No. 12 ClemsonACC Network
7 p.m.No. 14 South Carolina at No. 24 Mississippi StateSEC Network
Mon, Mar 307 p.m.No. 14 South Carolina at No. 24 Mississippi StateSEC Network
Tue, Mar 316 p.m.Penn State at PittsburghACC Network
6 p.m.Wichita State at No. 3 OklahomaSEC Network
Wed, Apr 16 p.m.Mercer at Georgia TechACC Network
Fri, Apr 38:30 p.m.No. 1 Texas at No. 16 AlabamaSEC Network
Sat, Apr 411:30 a.m.No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 6 FloridaSEC Network
2 p.m.Notre Dame at No. 7 Florida StateACC Network
1:30 p.m.No. 15 Georgia at No. 11 Texas A&MSEC Network
4 p.m.Garner Webb at SC UpstateESPNU
3:30 p.m.No. 13 LSU at MissouriSEC Network
6 p.m.No. 1 Texas at No. 16 AlabamaESPN
5:30 p.m.No. 14 South Carolina at No. 4 TennesseeSEC Network
7 p.m.No. 12 Clemson at No. 21 Virginia TechACC Network
Sun, Apr 54 p.m.Auburn at No. 8 ArkansasSEC Network
Mon, Apr 67 p.m.Auburn at No. 8 ArkansasSEC Network
Tue, Apr 78:30 p.m.Samford at No. 22 Ole MissSEC Network
Wed, Apr 86 p.m.Morehead State at KentuckySEC Network
7 p.m.USF at No. 6 FloridaESPN2
8 p.m.Queens at North CarolinaACC Network
Fri, Apr 106 p.m.No. 12 Clemson at PittsburghACC Network
6 p.m.No. 6 Florida at No. 14 South CarolinaSEC Network
7 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 TexasESPN2
9 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at No. 17 StanfordESPN2
Sat, Apr 111 p.m.No. 16 Alabama at AuburnSEC Network
3 p.m.No. 6 Florida at No. 14 South CarolinaSEC Network
7 p.m.No. 12 Clemson at PittsburghACC Network
8 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 TexasESPN
10 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at No. 17 StanfordESPN
Sun, Apr 12NoonNo. 18 Arizona at No. 13 LSUESPN
2 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 1 TexasESPN
4 p.m.No. 21 Virginia Tech at VirginiaACC Network
6 p.m.California at NC StateACC Network
6 p.m.No. 4 Tennessee at KentuckySEC Network
Mon, Apr 137 p.m.No. 4 Tennessee at KentuckySEC Network
Tue, Apr 146 p.m.No. 14 South Carolina at No. 12 ClemsonACC Network
Wed, Apr 156 p.m.Northwestern at Notre DameACC Network
7 p.m.No. 4 Tennessee at No. 19 DukeESPN2
8 p.m.Indiana at LouisvilleACC Network
9 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 20 Oklahoma StateESPN2
Fri, Apr 176 p.m.Georgia Tech at No. 21 Virginia TechACC Network
8:30 p.m.No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 11 Texas A&MSEC Network
6 p.m.Kentucky at No. 16 AlabamaESPN2
8 p.m.No. 8 Arkansas at No. 3 OklahomaESPN2
Sat, Apr 183 p.m.No. 18 Arizona at No. 20 Oklahoma StateESPN2
3 p.m.North Carolina at No. 7 Florida StateACC Network
4 p.m.No. 1 Texas at No. 15 GeorgiaSEC Network
6 p.m.No. 14 South Carolina at MissouriSEC Network
7 p.m.Georgia Tech at No. 21 Virginia TechACC Network
Sun, Apr 19NoonNo. 1 Texas at No. 15 GeorgiaESPN2
4 p.m.Pittsburgh at LouisvilleACC Network
Mon, Apr 207 p.m.No. 1 Texas at No. 15 GeorgiaSEC Network
Wed, Apr 226 p.m.No. 6 Florida at No. 7 Florida StateESPN2
8 p.m.No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 1 TexasESPN2
Fri, Apr 246 p.m.No. 1 Texas at KentuckySEC Network
7 p.m.No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 14 South CarolinaESPN2
9 p.m.No. 1 Texas Tech at Arizona StateESPN2
Sat, Apr 25NoonNo. 12 Clemson at No. 19 DukeESPN2
2:30 p.m.No. 15 Georgia at No. 3 OklahomaESPN2
NoonMissouri at No. 8 ArkansasSEC Network
4 p.m.Long Beach State at CS FullertonESPNU
5 p.m.No. 1 Texas Tech at Arizona StateESPN2
3 p.m.North Carolina at No. 21 Virginia TechACC Network
5 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at Georgia TechACC Network
Sun, Apr 261 p.m.No. 22 Ole Miss at AuburnSEC Network
4 p.m.No. 16 Alabama at No. 4 TennesseeESPN2
5 p.m.No. 12 Clemson at No. 19 DukeACC Network
Mon, Apr 277 p.m.No. 16 Alabama at No. 4 TennesseeSEC Network
Tue, Apr 287 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at No. 6 FloridaSEC Network
Wed, Apr 296 p.m.DePaul at Notre DameACC Network
Thu, Apr 307 p.m.No. 8 Arkansas at No. 1 TexasSEC Network
9 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&MSEC Network
Fri, May 16 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&MSEC Network
Sat, May 2NoonNo. 6 Florida at No. 15 GeorgiaESPN
2 p.m.ACC WildcardACC Network
1 p.m.No. 4 Tennessee at MissouriSEC Network
2:30 p.m.Baylor at No. 1 Texas TechESPN
3 p.m.No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 22 Ole MissSEC Network
5 p.m.No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Texas A&MESPN2
5 p.m.Auburn at No. 13 LSUSEC Network
Sun, May 36 p.m.No. 7 Florida State at Boston CollegeACC Network
Sat, May 810 p.m.St. Mary’s at Santa ClaraESPNU
 
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