Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) bats in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Selection Sunday is almost here.
At 6 p.m. tomorrow on ESPN, experts will reveal the bracket of 64 teams looking to end their seasons at Devon Park in Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. Texas softball is looking to win back-to-back national championships and their postseason exploits continued start Saturday after a 7-1 win against to Alabama. It was the Longhorns’ first-ever SEC Tournament title.
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The Longhorns are expected to be one of the 16 teams expected to host a regional and maybe even a super regional. Other teams expected to make the field of 64 include Texas A&M and Texas State. Will either be able to host a regional this year?
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Here is how Selection Sunday works and what to expect:
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How to watch the Selection Show
The bracket will be revealed during an ESPN broadcast at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
How does the Selection Show work?
Teams that automatically have a spot in the bracket include teams that won their conference tournaments.
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In the Power Four that includes Arizona State (Big 12), Nebraska (Big Ten), Texas (SEC) and Florida State (ACC). Other qualifiers include either Louisiana or Texas State from the Sun Belt and Idaho State who won its first title Big Sky Conference Title.
While the 31 conference tournament winners will get automatically placed, the rest of the 33 teams will come from an at-large bid. According to the NCAA, teams must have an overall won-lost record of .500 or better against DI competition as well as strength of schedule.
The Texas State Bobcats surround pitcher Maddy Azua (22) as they celebrate after beating the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders 3-0 at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, April 15, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
What role does RPI play?
The NCAA uses the rating percentage index to calculate specifically where teams could place in the bracket; the process is similar to NET rankings that men’s and women’s basketball uses for March Madness.
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RPI is calculated by using a team’s winning percentage, opponent’s winning percentage and opponent’s opponents’ winning percentage. Arkansas is currently ranked No. 1 in RPI and the Razorbacks have the potential to be the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The top 16 teams in RPI will host regionals (double elimination) and the top eight will host super regionals (a best of three series). Based on the NCAA’s current RPI standings, eight SEC teams that are projected to host regionals.
Texas A&M infielder Mya Perez (24) steps up to bat during the game against Oklahoma at Davis Diamond on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Where will Texas be in the bracket?
Texas (42-10) is fourth in RPI and will likely stay in Austin through the super regionals, should they make it that far.
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Where will Texas A&M be?
Auburn upset the Aggies 11-8 in the second round of the SEC Tournament and dropped to 17th in RPI, which means A&M (36-17) may have to travel to a regional. The Aggies have lost three straight games but challenged teams like Oklahoma and snapped Texas’ 29-game winning streak.
Will Texas State make the tournament?
Texas State (38-19) is ranked 31st in RPI, which means even if it doesn’t win the Sun Belt Conference tournament on Saturday it is possible the Bobcats would receive at at-large bid. The Bobcats are in the middle of a three-game winning streak and pulled off impressive wins over ranked opponents this season including against Texas Tech and Texas A&M.
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When does the NCAA Tournament begin?
Regional games will start at various times on Friday, May 15 at various sites.