By: Karlie Genevive, ’26 Summer Intern

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Softball Championship will take place at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park, Binghamton for its second year. Twenty-four of the best teams in New York are headed to Binghamton, New York to compete for the top spot and earn the title of the 2026 Softball Champions. The two-day tournament will begin on Friday June 12 and end Saturday June 13.

“This championship weekend represents the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and commitment by student-athletes, coaches, officials, and school communities from across New York State,” State Coordinator Jim Wright stated. “Thousands of players began the season with dreams of reaching this stage. Through league competition, sectional tournaments, and regional play, the remaining teams have earned the opportunity to compete for a New York State Championship.”

Class AAA features several familiar contenders, highlighted by Section IV representative Saratoga Springs (Section 2) and defending state champions Lancaster (Section VI). These two teams will face off on June 12 at 1:00 PM at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park. The other semifinal game features returner Massapequa (Section VIII) and Pine Bush (Section IX).

In Class AA, Calhoun (Section VIII) has advanced to the state semifinal round and will face Minisink Valley (Section IX) after earning a 7–1 victory over East Islip High School in the regional round. Also returning to the state tournament field is former state champion Orchard Park (Section VI), which will take on Fayetteville-Manlius (Section III) in the other semifinal matchup.

In Class A, Maine-Endwell (Section IV) returns to the tournament field and will face Averill Park (Section 2) in the first semifinal on June 12 at 10:00 AM at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park. In the second semifinal, Pearl River (Section I) and Wantagh (Section VIII), both of whom did not qualify for last year’s tournament, will compete against each other on June 12 at 10:00 AM at the same venue.

In Class B, returning teams include defending state champions Chatham (Section 2), who will face Susquehanna Valley (Section IV) in a semifinal matchup on June 12 at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.
Babylon (Section XI) also returns to the tournament, advancing one round further than last year’s appearance. They will compete against Dobbs Ferry (Section I) in the second semifinal, following a narrow 5–4 victory over Carle Place (Section VIII).

After winning three straight Class D state championships, Deposit-Hancock (Section IV) enters its second year in Class C looking to build on last season's state semifinal appearance. The Eagles' 2025 postseason run came to an end with a 4-0 defeat against Bloomfield in the semifinals. They will face St. Lawrence Central (Section X) in the semifinal round June 12 at 5:30 at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.

Also returning to the Class C bracket is Pine Plains (Section IX), which will face Galway (Section 2) in the other semifinal. That contest is scheduled for June 12 at 5:03 p.m. at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.

Class D will crown a new champion this season, as defending state champion Hamilton (Section III) did not qualify for this year's tournament. All four semifinalists are new to the tournament field compared to last year.
Oakfield-Alabama (Section V) will face Cincinnatus Central (Section III) in a semifinal matchup on June 12 at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park at 11:30 AM. In the other semifinal, Fort Ann (Section 2) will meet Windham-Ashland-Jewett (Section IV) also at 11:30 AM at the same venue.

The semifinals for the 2026 Softball State Championships will begin on Friday, June 12 at 10:00 AM, starting with the Class A semifinal rounds, followed by Class D at 11:30 AM, Class AAA at 1:00 PM, Class AA at 2:30 PM, Class B at 4:00 PM, and concluding with Class C at 5:30 PM. The finals will take place on Saturday, June 13, beginning at 10:00 AM.

Tickets for the NYSPHSAA Softball Champions are $13.60 and can only be purchased on GoFan platform. More information about the 2026 Softball Championships can be found at nysphsaa.org.