2026 Iowa High School Softball State Tournament Guide

Tournament Overview

Iowa’s high‑school softball season wraps up this summer as the IGHSAU state tournament kicks off. The event runs from July 20 through July 24 in Fort Dodge, marking the final stretch for teams vying for the state title. Fans can expect a full week of competition across five separate classes.

First‑round play begins on Monday, July 20, with knockout matches continuing through Wednesday. The double‑elimination format is new for 2026, meaning a team must lose twice to be eliminated. Despite the extra games, the tournament retains its original schedule length.

Double‑Elimination Format and Field Changes

This year the IGHSAU has shifted to a double‑elimination structure, a change that adds excitement but does not extend the overall event timeline. Five different fields will host the matches, up from the usual two venues. Championship games are divided by class: 2A and 4A teams play on Thursday, while 1A, 3A, and 5A teams hold their title matches on Friday. All championship finals will take place at Channel Seeds Field.

The expanded field usage spreads the competition across more locations, easing congestion and giving more communities a chance to host games. With more fields in play, the tournament can accommodate the increased number of bouts without over‑extending the schedule.

Class 2A First Round Matchups

• Monday, July 20 – Day 1: No. 1 Grand View Christian vs. No. 8 Cardinal – 10:00 a.m., Hy‑Vee Field

• No. 4 Iowa City Regina vs. No. 5 Hinton – 12:15 p.m., Hy‑Vee Field

• No. 2 Durant vs. No. 7 Ridge View – 2:30 p.m., Hy‑Vee Field

• No. 3 Wapsie Valley vs. No. 6 Logan‑Magnolia – 4:45 p.m., Hy‑Vee Field

Tuesday and Wednesday feature additional double‑elimination rounds, with possible games at 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:45 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. The quarter‑final and semi‑final matchups will be listed as they are confirmed.

The 2A championship is slated for Thursday, July 24, at 5:00 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field.

Class 1A First Round Matchups

• Monday, July 20 – Day 1: No. 1 Exria‑EHK/Audubon vs. No. 8 Edgwood‑Colesburg – 12:00 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 4 West Monoa vs. No. 5 Southeast Warren – 2:15 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 2 Clarksville vs. No. 7 North Butler – 4:30 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 3 St. Edmond vs. No. 6 Remsen St. Mary’s – 6:45 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

Subsequent days follow a similar pattern, with possible games at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:15 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. The 1A title match is set for Friday, July 24, at 2:30 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field.

Class 3A, 4A and 5A Schedules

Classes 3A, 4A and 5A all open with four first‑round games each on Monday, July 20, at their respective fields: Iowa Central Field for 3A, Channel Seeds Field for 4A, and Triton Field for 5A. Times vary by class, but the pattern continues through Tuesday and Wednesday with possible extra rounds.

After the early rounds, the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals fill the remaining slots on the schedule, with the championship days set for Thursday (2A and 4A) and Friday (1A, 3A, 5A). All title games converge at Channel Seeds Field, providing a single weekend for the state’s best teams to claim the crown.

Photo Gallery: Ankeny Centennial vs. Dowling Catholic

Class 5A

Monday, July 20 – strong strong state tournament Day 1

• TBD vs. TBD – 11:45 a.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 2 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 4:15 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD -6:30 p.m., Triton Field

Tuesday, July 21 strong strong state tournament Day 2

• TBD vs. TBD – 11 a.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 1:15 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3:30 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5:45 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 8 p.m., Triton Field

Wednesday, July 23 – strong strong state tournament Day 3

• TBD vs. TBD – 11 a.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 1:15 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3:30 p.m., Triton Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5:45 p.m., Triton Field (if needed)

• TBD vs. TBD – 8 p.m., Triton Field (if needed)

Friday, July 24 – strong strong state championship

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:30 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

Class 4A

Monday, July 20 – strong strong state tournament Day 1

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:30 a.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:45 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD -5:15 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

Tuesday, July 21 strong strong state tournament Day 2

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:15 a.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 2:45 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:15 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

Wednesday, July 23 – strong strong state tournament Day 3

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:15 a.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 2:45 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5 p.m., Channel Seeds Field (if needed)

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:15 p.m., Channel Seeds Field (if needed)

Thursday, July 23 – strong strong state championship

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:30 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

Class 3A

Monday, July 20 – strong strong state tournament Day 1

• TBD vs. TBD – 11:15 a.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 1:30 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3:45 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD -6 p.m., Iowa Central Field

Tuesday, July 21 strong strong state tournament Day 2

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:45 a.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 1 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3:15 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5:30 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:45 p.m., Iowa Central Field

Wednesday, July 23 – strong strong state tournament Day 3

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:45 a.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 1 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3:15 p.m., Iowa Central Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5:30 p.m., Iowa Central Field (if needed)

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:45 p.m., Iowa Central Field (if needed)

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Friday, July 24 – strong strong state championship

• TBD vs. TBD – 5 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

Class 2A

Monday, July 20 – strong strong state tournament Day 1

• No. 1 Grand View Christian vs. No. 8 Cardinal- 10 a.m., Hy-Vee Field

• No. 4 Iowa City Regina vs. No. 5 Hinton- 12:15 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• No. 2 Durant vs. No. 7 Ridge View- 2:30 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• No. 3 Wapsie Valley vs. No. 6 Logan-Magnolia -4:45 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

Tuesday, July 21 strong strong state tournament Day 2

• TBD vs. TBD – 10 a.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:15 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 2:30 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 4:45 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 7 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

Wednesday, July 23 – strong strong state tournament Day 3

• TBD vs. TBD – 10 a.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:15 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 2:30 p.m., Hy-Vee Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 4:45 p.m., Hy-Vee Field (if needed)

• TBD vs. TBD – 7 p.m., Hy-Vee Field (if needed)

Thursday, July 23 – strong strong state championship

• TBD vs. TBD – 5 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

More: 10 players to watch entering the Iowa high school softball postseason

Class 1A

Monday, July 20 – strong strong state tournament Day 1

• No. 1 Exria-EHK/Audubon vs. No. 8 Edgwood-Colesburg- 12 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 4 West Monoa vs. No. 5 Southeast Warren- 2:15 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 2 Clarksville vs. No. 7 North Butler- 4:30 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• No. 3 St. Edmond vs. No. 6 Remsen St. Mary’s -6:45 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

Tuesday, July 21 strong strong state tournament Day 2

TBD vs. TBD – 10:30 a.m., Farm Bureau Field

TBD vs. TBD – 12:45 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

TBD vs. TBD – 3 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

TBD vs. TBD – 5:15 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

TBD vs. TBD – 7:30 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

Wednesday, July 23 – strong strong state tournament Day 3

• TBD vs. TBD – 10:30 a.m., Farm Bureau Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 12:45 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 3 p.m., Farm Bureau Field

• TBD vs. TBD – 5:15 p.m., Farm Bureau Field (if needed)

• TBD vs. TBD – 7:30 p.m., Farm Bureau Field (if needed)

Friday, July 24 – strong strong state championship

• TBD vs. TBD – 2:30 p.m., Channel Seeds Field

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa high school softball state tournament 2026: See IGHSAU brackets