In a historic season filled with sold-out venues and an explosion in television viewership, it’s only fitting that a scintillating summer of Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) action comes down to this.

The two best teams, Chicago and Utah, battling for the league crown in a much-anticipated rematch.

The top-seeded Talons (16-9) will square off against the Bandits (16-9) in a best-of-three championship series beginning on Saturday at Davis Diamond in College Station, Texas. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Utah won last season’s inaugural AUSL title, sweeping Chicago in two games and the Talons took four of five regular season games from the Bandits this summer. The Talons will have a shot at becoming the first back-to-back champions in league history, while the Bandits have revenge on their minds.

This intriguing matchup also pits the league’s best offense (Chicago) against AUSL’s best pitching (Utah), led by ace Montana Fouts, whose dominance in the circle was cemented with a marvelous career at Alabama. Fouts (7-4) became the first pitcher in league history to reach seven wins while fanning 63 batters. Her miniscule 1.19 ERA was bolstered by two complete games against Chicago this season, including a 10-strikeout performance on July 18.

If Fouts won’t get you, Georgina Corrick probably will. The South Florida legend miffed hitters this season with a league low 1.12 ERA. Corrick went the distance in each of her four starts and held Chicago to just two hits in the final game of the regular season.

But the Bandits counter with a potent lineup, paced by Sami Williams. The Iowa State alum led the AUSL in hits with 32, while setting single-season marks for RBIs (34) and doubles (12). Coming through in the clutch, Williams hit .593 with runners in scoring position and she was one of the league’s only hitters to have success against Utah’s dominant pitching, finishing 6-for-13 with a double and a home run in regular season matchups.

Look for Skyler Wallace to also have an impact in the series. Wallace, from the University of Florida, became the first hitter in AUSL history to bat .500. She only played in 15 games, but the former Gator bashed six homers while driving in 17 runs.

This season’s championship rematch is an ideal way to conclude a thrilling record-setting season that will likely leave fans salivating for more.

Numbers Tell the Story

On the heels of another successful college softball campaign, it only made sense for Year 2 of the AUSL to kickoff in early June, just after the dust had settled in the Women’s College World Series.

Momentum was hot and fans were craving more women’s softball. And the numbers tell the tale.

• AUSL contests on ESPN Platforms are averaging about 200,000 viewers – a huge year-over-year spike of more than 180% to 213% over last season—based on numbers from the AUSL.
• The season’s opening weeks witnessed a major 181% jump compared to early-season games in 2025.
• Viewership peaked on June 21 when a game between the Portland Cascade and the OKC Spark attracted a record 404,000 average viewers. On July 5, the same two teams brought in more than 324,000 viewers on ESPN.
• Of course, surges in viewership equals more places to watch games. Forbes reported that more than 50 games were aired on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. The “Worldwide Leader” has made a point to feature AUSL games this season as part of it’s “Women’s Sports Sundays” lineup. CBS Sports Network and the MLB Network have joined the fray, airing league games as well.

Last season’s success, along with college softball’s rise, allowed the AUSL to expand from four to six teams in its second season with permanent home bases. The inaugural 2025 season saw 24 sellouts and 90% venue capacity. While complete 2026 numbers aren’t available yet, it’s safe to assume last season’s marks will be heavily surpassed. Cities like Portland have embraced women’s pro softball with sold out games and lively crowds.

The demand is clear – more softball. I wouldn’t be shocked if the league added two more teams and expanded the season from 25 to 30 games for 2027.

I’ll certainly be watching.