Predetermined Sites for NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals

The NCAA Softball Championships will feature predetermined sites for Regional and Super Regional play this season to help comply with healthy and safety protocols stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Per an email sent to Division I softball administrators, more than week is needed to fully prepare for COVID-19 testing procedures and protocols, including certification as a testing site and to confirm testing personnel from the testing provider. A minimum of three weeks is necessary to ensure the site will be functioning efficiently.

A total of 16 predetermined Regional sites will be selected. From those same sites, eight Super Regional sites will be selected to host at the conclusion of the Regionals.

The Division I softball committee will determine the best way to conduct the championship using all predetermined sites. The preliminary-round big process timeline is as follows:

• Monday, March 29 – bid portal opened

• Monday, April 12 – deadline to submit bids

• Week of April 26 – regional site selection announcement

• Sunday, May 16 – bracket selection announcement

If an institution is selected to host a preliminary round(s), the institution is still required to host even if its team is not selected for the tournament. There is no minimum financial guarantee to bid for hosting.

The seating capacity for the championships has yet to be determined. The NCAA will determine ticket allocations for each site, with priority consideration given to participating teams.

Each Regional host should also plan to hold hotel rooms for Super Regional dates in case the institution is selected to host again.

In terms of COVID-19 testing, one location will be used at each Regional and Super Regional site and it must be a minimum of 2,500 square feet.