Alabama softball No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament: Who does Tide play?

Alabama softball is the cream of the crop heading into the 2026 NCAA softball tournament, cemented as the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in 16 years.

The Crimson Tide’s ranking means it will host a regional and, if it advances, a super regional. The regional field will consist of USC Upstate (36-21), Belmont (40-11) and SE Louisiana (46-14).

The Tuscaloosa Regional is double-elimination. Action will run through May 15-17 on SEC Network.

It marks the 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance for Alabama and the 21st-straight season it is hosting a regional at Rhoads Stadium, not including the canceled 2020 season. The Crimson Tide has advanced to the Women’s College World Series 15 times and is looking to do so for the first time in two years.

Alabama has one national championship, which came in 2012.

Alabama is coming off a championship game loss in the SEC Tournament. Seven unanswered runs led to a 7-1 fall to Texas, securing the Longhorns their first SEC Softball Tournament title during their second year in the conference on Saturday, May 9.

Friday, May 15

• Game 1: Alabama vs. USC Upstate, noon CT
• Game 2: Belmont vs. SE Louisiana, 2:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, May 16

• Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, TBD
• Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, TBD
• Game 5: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, TBD

Sunday, May 17

• Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, TBD
• Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary), TBD

Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.