CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The NCAA announced the regional brackets for the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament, Monday, May 11th. For the second straight year, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) is sending four teams to the NCAA Tournament continuing to cement itself as one of the strongest softball conferences in the country. Central, Loras, Simpson, and Wartburg all saw their names pop up during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday.
Simpson earned the A-R-C’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after posting a 2-0 record during the conference tournament this past weekend to claim their first tournament title in program history. Central, Loras, and Wartburg picked up at-large bids to earn a spot in the 64-team field. Regional action begins on Thursday, May 14.
Trine Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 10:00 a.m. - No. 1 Trine vs. No. 4 Earlham
Game 2: 12:30 p.m. - No. 2 Rochester vs. No. 3 Loras
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 10:00 a.m. - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 4: 12:30 p.m. - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5: 3:00 p.m. - Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 10:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7: 12:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
Wartburg Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Redlands vs. No. 4 Dominican
Game 2: 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Wartburg vs. No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 11:00 a.m. - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
Game 4: 1:30 p.m. - Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser
Game 5: 4:00 p.m. - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 11:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 7: 1:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary)
Simpson Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Simpson vs. No. 4 Greenville
Game 2: 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Saint Benedict vs. No. 3 Central
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 11:00 a.m. - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
Game 4: 1:30 p.m. - Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser
Game 5: 4:00 p.m. - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 11:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 7: 1:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary)
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
