American Collegiate League Gears Up for 2026 With Expanded Reach and New National Championship Format
Plan Ahead: A Summer Built for Player Development and Exposure
It is never too early to start preparing and thinking ahead. Beginning September 1, the American Collegiate League will open player registration for its Summer 2026 season. If you are looking to sharpen your skills, build relationships, and get a full month of meaningful reps, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.
The ACL, founded by Ryan Moore, has grown into a five-league system spanning the country:
- Florida Gulf Coast League in Bradenton, Florida
- Scenic City Collegiate League in Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Golden Bay Collegiate League in Irvine, California
- Lone Star State Collegiate League in Austin, Texas
- New England Collegiate League in Boston, Massachusetts, launching in 2026
Each location offers a competitive environment and the chance to face players from all levels of college softball. For incoming freshmen, it serves as a launching pad.
“Summer collegiate fastpitch has been growing at a rapid pace since the inaugural success of the Florida Gulf Coast League burst on the stage in 2020,” Moore said. “Since then, we have expanded the summer experience of that success to different regions of the country to bring more awareness and opportunities to any college fastpitch player that wants a chance to compete, grow, and further their career in the game.”
Not Just for Upperclassmen
The ACL is open to all college-level athletes, including rising freshmen. For those entering their first year of college, this is a way to compete against experienced players before your first fall practice. For players in the transfer portal, it is a spotlight moment that has already helped many earn new opportunities.
This past summer, players and coaches from the Scenic City Collegiate League praised the competitive environment, structure, and recruiting visibility. Several athletes used the month to polish their game and attract interest from college programs, leading to fresh offers and new commitments.
What Is New: The College Summer World Series
For the first time, the 2026 season will end with a national championship event called the College Summer World Series. Moore says this is the next evolution in what the ACL is building.
“The CSWS is something we have always wanted to explore,” Moore said. “We want to give these athletes a moment that shows all their hard extra work paid off. Not just to win a summer league championship, but to have the opportunity to win a national summer championship.”
All of the American Collegiate League regional leagues will hold competition from June 10 through July 11, 2026. League champions must be crowned no later than July 11. After that, the five regional champions will travel to the CSWS host site and compete for the national title from July 13 through July 15.
“The CSWS event will hopefully do that and become a staple for years to come as the games, even in the summer experience, continue to grow,” Moore added.
A Full-Level Fastpitch Showcase
The CSWS will not stand alone. The national championship series will run in tandem with a youth amateur tournament hosted by Fastpitch United. In addition to college and youth play, professional fastpitch teams will also be involved, turning the event into a complete celebration of the game.
“We will be hosting a youth amateur event alongside the CSWS, and we will be having the pro teams come in as well,” Moore said. “A full-level fastpitch event.”
Star Power and Proven Results
Over the years, the American Collegiate League and its partner leagues have been home to several standout players who went on to make national noise.
“We have seen players become stars,” Moore said. “Rylie Boone, Haley Lee, Alex Storako, Claire Davidson, Michaela Edenfield, to name just a few, all came through the summer college leagues.”
With applications opening September 1, players from all college divisions and stages of their careers are encouraged to register early and secure their spot for Summer 2026.
