Your travel guide to the 2026 AUSL Summer Softball Season

Summer in Chicago is a religious experience (if your religion is fun)! Take the El to the Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont to catch some of the Chicago Bandits AUSL season. Between games, explore the best the Chicago has to offer, catch a Cubs game, visit the Art Institute or wander around Lincoln Park. Stick around the ballpark to sample iconic Chicago dishes: deep dish from Giordano's, a Chicago dog at Portillo's or a steak from Gibson's. Get your tickets now. You'll find there's nothing second-rate about the Second City.

Durham blends deep-rooted Southern flavor with a creative, energetic spirit fueled by its well-rounded culture. This summer's hottest ticket is a Carolina Blaze game under the lights at Smith Family Stadium. Even more special? Seeing the AUSL Signature Series at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where the Blaze will be hosting defending champions, the Utah Talons.

When you're not cheering on your team at the game, enjoy some downtime,: Wander around Duke University's idyllic campus, spend some quiet time at the North Carolina Museum of Art and pre-game at one of Blaze player Ana Gold's favorite spots, Local 22 Kitchen & Bar. Get your tickets before they sell out.

Oklahoma City's food scene, outdoor recreation and cowboy spirit will enthrall you. In the heart of the Great Plains, where the American West really begins to take shape, Oklahoma City sits at a crossroads, literally and figuratively. Spend summer days strolling beside the river in Bricktown, cooling off in world-class museums like The First Americans Museum and eating like a champion: Local favorite Tucker's is a must-try for any burger aficionado.

Summer in OKC doesn't get any better than seeing the Oklahoma City Spark softball team play at Tom Heath Field (get tickets here). Pair that with a visit to the USA Softball Hall of Fame, where fans can learn about the legends and milestones of the iconic sport.

When you summer in Portland, Oregon, perfect weather is practically a guarantee – as are outdoor adventures, breathtaking sights and world-class food experiences within an easy drive. Case in point: seeing a Portland Cascade game at Hillsboro Ballpark, only a 30-minute drive east from the city (get tickets here).

Break up your game days with romantic strolls through indie bookshops (like legendary Powell's City of Books), sugar-fueled mornings at Voodoo Donuts and warm days hiking to towering waterfalls. Summer doesn't get any better than this.

Whether you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, wandering through a museum or walking in the footsteps of Olympians, Salt Lake City, Utah, has it all. Come summer visitors are spoiled for choice, but one of the most fun outings SLC has to offer is a Utah Talons softball game at the Dumke Family Softball Stadium (get tickets here).

If you're looking for local recommendations to enjoy the city beyond the tournament, a Talon's infielder suggests breakfast at favorite neighborhood spot, The Park Cafe and a short hike up Ensign Peak Trail.