After a topsy, turvy last three weeks, Florida softball learns its postseason fate Sunday night.
Yes, the Gators will make the NCAA Tournament. There was no doubt about that. Yes, UF will host a Regional. Even despite losing five of its last 11, Florida is still top 10 ranked in nearly every major poll, and top five in the RPI – a major indicator used by the committee.
But will the Gators host a Super Regional as a national top eight seed — As they’ve done all but two seasons under head coach Tim Walton?
That question remains a little murkier due to recent losses to Florida State (which won the ACC Championship), Georgia (which upset Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament) and Alabama (which run-ruled UF in the SEC Tournament).
Here’s what you need to know for the orange and blue for Selection Sunday.
Will Florida softball host a Super Regional?
It seems like yes. Every major bracketology still places Florida in the top eight. The high RPI ranking is the biggest reason why. UF is helped by a solid non-conference strength of schedule (12th in the country), and just one loss to teams in Quads 2-4. Combined that with a 12-9 Quad 1 record, and the Gators’ resume is among the best in the country.
Walton and Co. have lost two Super Regionals in his tenure. Both came to Georgia at home in 2016 and 2021.
Where is Florida softball in the final bracketology?
As luck would have it, D1 Softball has Florida as the No. 6 overall seed, paired with…No. 11 Georgia.
The Bulldogs were on the regional hosting bubble prior to its series with Florida, but the series win there, combined with the SEC Tournament run, has elevated the Bulldogs.
The Athens Regional sees UGA, Clemson, Jacksonville State and Charleston. The Gainesville Regional, meanwhile, sees Washington making the long cross-country trip along with USF and Florida A&M.
Softball America has the Gators one spot lower as the No. 7 seed in a regional with Virginia, USF and Marist. The Gainesville Regional is paired with the Los Angeles Regional – headlined by No. 10 seed UCLA, Arizona, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Baptist.
USA Today has UF as the No. 8 seed with No. 9 Texas Tech, and The Oklahoman puts Florida at the No. 7 seed with Wisconsin, South Florida and Charleston. That’s with the Tallahassee Regional – with rival Florida State at No. 10, Mississippi State, Stetson and Florida A&M.
Why will the brackets look different this year?
Not only is the committee seeding teams No. 1-32 this year as opposed to just 1-16, but each team will be placed in a quadrant.
The top 16 teams will be seeded 1-4 in each of the four quadrants. The top four national seeds will be No. 1 in each quadrant, and so on and so forth.
Teams from 17-32 will be seeded 5-8 in each of the four quadrants. This system, similar to what is used in women’s soccer and volleyball, is used to prevent intra-conference matchups – which the committee doesn’t allow in regionals.
What time is NCAA softball bracket released?
The NCAA Softball Tournament brackets will unveiled live at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10. Regionals will begin on Friday, May 15, at a time yet to be determined.
What channel is the NCAA softball selection show today?
The selection show will air live on ESPN2 on Sunday.
How to watch NCAA Softball Selection Show?
The 2026 NCAA softball tournament bracket reveal will air live on ESPN2, with streaming options available on the ESPN app (with a cable login) or Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Will Florida softball host a Super Regional? Final Gators bracket projections
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
