A New Era for Softball: Understanding the AUSL’s Inaugural Season
If you follow women’s sports, chances are you’ve heard about the AUSL. If you haven’t had the chance to catch a game on TV or read up on the future of professional softball, don’t worry. We did some digging into the recently introduced softball league so you don’t have to!
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a United States-based women's softball league. The AUSL currently boasts four teams: the Bandits, the Blaze, the Talons, and the Volts. The new league already has significant backing, with former MLB executive Kim Ng as commissioner and softball stars serving as general managers and head coaches. This season is comprised of 24 games played in 10 different cities, finished with a best-of-three championship series. The teams were not affiliated with any specific cities in the 2025 season, but that is expected to change for the 2026 season. They have partnered with Major League Baseball and ESPN for their inaugural season, and you can catch games on ESPN channels and through streaming with MLB TV. For a full list of where each game will be streaming, click here.
The AUSL’s debut came at just the right time. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s annual report, softball is growing rapidly in the United States, with participation increasing by more than 7% in 2024. This increase in participation, paired with the fact that softball is making its Olympic return in 2028, provides more even opportunities for the expansion of the sport and elevates the chances of sustained success at a professional level.
The AUSL falls under the Athletes Unlimited organization. Athletes Unlimited is a women’s professional sports organization that organizes and operates basketball, softball, and volleyball competitions. The unique aspect of Athletes Unlimited is that one singular player is deemed the “Champion” of the league. Despite being on teams, all athletes are competing against each other. Players can earn personal points through fan-voted MVP awards, their teams winning games, and individual in-game accomplishments (scoring points, impressive defense, etc). The points are kept track of on a leaderboard throughout the season. The four players with the highest points each week are given captaincy, and they are in charge of drafting their team for the next week. Teams and captains switch every week, making games consistently unique and captivating fans.
The AUSL is the only Athletes Unlimited league to have both a “regular” season with set rosters and a winning team, in addition to an All-Star season, with an individual player winning the title. This provides an opportunity for fans to claim a team and support them season after season. Creating loyal fanbases is paramount to a league's success. A supportive fanbase is more likely to buy tickets, branded merchandise, post about the team on social media, and encourage team sponsorship from other large organizations.
As the inaugural season is coming to a close, softball fans can still catch their favorite players in the All-Star Cup. This All-Star season is more aligned with the traditional Athletes Unlimited formatting, starring a 21-game season beginning in August, after the end of the AUSL’s regular season. 60 professional softball players compete, with one being crowned champion at the end.
The AUSL’s first season has proven that there’s a real appetite for professional women’s softball, and it’s only getting bigger. Whether you're a die-hard softball fan or just tuning in for the first time, this league offers something fresh, fast-paced, and full of personality. Keep your eyes on the AUSL, it’s the future of softball.
