NEW YORK — The AUSL revealed 10 host cities for its inaugural 2025 touring season on June 4, 2025, three days before Opening Day. The league will travel to Rosemont (Illinois), Wichita (Kansas), Sulphur (Louisiana), Chattanooga (Tennessee), Norman (Oklahoma), Omaha (Nebraska), Seattle (Washington), Salt Lake City (Utah), Round Rock (Texas), and Tuscaloosa (Alabama).
The touring format allows the AUSL to test markets across the country before transitioning to permanent city-based franchises in 2026. Each of the four teams will play 24 games across the 10 cities during the regular season.
The Touring Model
The 10-city touring format was designed to maximize exposure for the new league during its debut season. By bringing games to markets across the country, the AUSL introduced professional softball to fans who had limited access to top-level competition and generated national media coverage in local markets.
The touring approach also served as a market research tool, allowing league officials to gauge fan interest, attendance figures and sponsorship potential in different regions. Data from the 2025 touring season informed the league’s decision-making process when selecting the six permanent home cities for the 2026 season and beyond.
Transition to Permanent Homes
While the touring model succeeded in building broad awareness, the AUSL announced before the end of the 2025 season that it would transition to a permanent home-city format for 2026. The move reflected the league’s belief that sustained fan engagement requires local identity, season-ticket programs and the kind of community connection that only a permanent presence can provide.
The six cities selected for 2026 — Chicago (Rosemont), Durham, Oklahoma City, Portland (Hillsboro), Round Rock and Salt Lake City — were chosen based on venue quality, market demographics and the results of the 2025 touring season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cities hosted AUSL games in 2025?
The AUSL toured 10 cities during its inaugural 2025 season: Rosemont, Wichita, Sulphur, Chattanooga, Norman, Omaha, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Round Rock, and Tuscaloosa.
Why did the AUSL tour in 2025?
The touring format allowed the league to test markets before committing to permanent home cities, which were announced for the 2026 season.
About the AUSL
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional women’s softball league featuring six franchises competing in a 50-game season. Founded in partnership with ESPN, the AUSL launched in 2025 and expanded to six permanent home-city teams for 2026 under Commissioner Kim Ng. Games air across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ABC.
About Aspen Eighty
Aspen Eighty is a female-founded, independent digital publication covering the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. We publish breaking news, scores, draft analysis, and player profiles for all six AUSL teams. Our mission is to amplify women’s professional softball and inspire the next generation of athletes.
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