Jennie Finch on softball’s role in rising women’s sports
Jennie Finch celebrates the growth of women’s sports and softball’s momentum in the pro space.
Sports Seriously
The 2026 Little League Softball World Series is 24 hours away, promising a week filled with action across 22 games. This year’s tournament will see 12 teams, eight representing regions from across the United States and four from international contenders, compete for LLSWS glory.
Each team earned its place through regional competitions. Representing the United States is Daviess County Little League from Kentucky, Toms River Little League from New Jersey, and Bristol Girls Softball Little League from Connecticut.
They are joined by Johnston County Little League from North Carolina and Snohomish Little League from Washington. Lake Mary Little League from Florida, Greater Helotes Little League from Texas, and Live Oak Little League from California round out the U.S. lineup.
The international bracket features elite teams from Japan, Canada, Italy, and Puerto Rico, each representing the youth softball in their respective countries.
All 12 teams are split into two brackets, Purple and Orange, setting the stage for an action-packed week. Here are the teams participating in the LLSWS:
How to watch the 2026 Little League Softball World Series
The 2026 Little League Softball World Series will be shown on ESPN networks, with the final game broadcast on ABC. Additionally, games can be streamed on ESPN+.
- Dates: Aug. 2-9
- TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC
- Stream: ESPN+
- Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Watch the LLSWS with Fubo
Teams in the 2026 Little League Softball World Series
United States teams
Central Region
Team: Daviess County Little League (Owensboro, Kentucky)
- Region Tournament Record: 4-1
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- State LLSWS Appearance: 2nd
Mid-Atlantic Region
Team: Toms River Little League (Toms River, New Jersey)
- Region Tournament Record: 4-1
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- State LLSWS Appearance: 5th
New England Region
Team: Bristol Girls Softball Little League (Bristol, Connecticut)
- Region Tournament Record: 3-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- State LLSWS Appearance: 5th
North Carolina Region
Team: Johnston County Little League (Clayton, North Carolina)
- Region Tournament Record: 3-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- State LLSWS Appearance: 5th as host, 16th overall
Northwest Region
Team: Snohomish Little League (Snohomish, Washington)
- Region Tournament Record: 3-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 2nd (1st under the current name of the charter)
- State LLSWS Appearance: 5th
Southeast Region
Team: Lake Mary Little League (Lake Mary, Florida)
- Region Tournament Record: 4-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 4th
- State LLSWS Appearance: 13th
Southwest Region
Team: Greater Helotes Little League (Helotes, Texas)
- Region Tournament Record: 3-1
- League LLSWS Appearance: 2nd
- State LLSWS Appearance: 19th
West Region
Team: Live Oak Little League (Live Oak, California)
- Region Tournament Record: 4-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- State LLSWS Appearance: 8th
International teams
Asia-Pacific Region
Team: Kinki Softball Little League (Japan)
- Region Tournament Record: 2-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 1st
- Country LLSWS Appearance: 2nd
Canada Region
Team: OnField Little League (Repentigny, Quebec)
- Region Tournament Record: 2-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 3rd
- Country LLSWS Appearance: 5th
Europe & Africa Region
Team: Emilia Romagna Little League (Bologna, Italy)
- Region Tournament Record: 5-1
- League LLSWS Appearance: 3rd
- Country LLSWS Appearance: 9th
Latin America Region
Team: Guayama Softball Little League (Guayama, Puerto Rico)
- Region Tournament Record: 5-0
- League LLSWS Appearance: 3rd
- Country LLSWS Appearance: 17th