Professional softball is returning to Wichita this summer: Everything to know on AUSL
Due to popular demand, professional softball is returning to Wichita this summer.
When Athletes Unlimited announced its intention to start a professional softball league, known as AUSL, it planned to rotate between just four cities. But as the popularity of women’s sports continues to surge, AUSL has expanded its original plans and will now include at least 10 different cities.
After last summer’s rousing success hosting the AU Pro Softball AUX competition, Wichita was a priority stop for Athletes Unlimited. Wichita is also in the mix to land a professional team when the league becomes city-based in 2026. ESPN has signed on as a founding broadcast partner of the AUSL and will air 33 total games across its platforms this summer.
“We were truly overwhelmed by the number of cities with world-class venues and a history of supporting softball interested in being part of the historic first season of the AUSL,” said league executive Kim Ng in a statement. “We are looking forward to launching a new era for the sport, and everyone involved with the AUSL, including players, coaches and staff, is excited to do so in front of so many passionate softball fans across the country.”
With the help of WSU and Visit Wichita, a total of 11 games will be hosted at Wilkins Stadium again in the month of June. Single-game tickets and all-session passes can be purchased through the AUSL website.
Wichita is helping open the AUSL season on June 7-9 with a 3-game series between the Volts, featuring Maize graduate Kelsey Stewart-Hunter, and the Blaze, featuring Shocker legend Sydney McKinney. The games are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 and then 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9.
AUSL will then return to Wichita later in the month with doubleheaders starting at 6 p.m. featuring all four teams — the Bandits play the Talons, while the Blaze play the Volts — on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday June 18.
After a day off, the Bandits and Blaze will play a 4-game series in Wichita from June 20-23. Game times are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, with 4 p.m. first pitches slated for the Sunday, June 22 and Monday, June 23 games.
Other AUSL locations include Rosemont, Ill.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Round Rock, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Sulphur, La.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Omaha, Neb. Following the AUSL championship, 60 players will then compete in the AUSL All-Star Cup in Augusta with games in Rosemont, Raleigh, N.C. and Greenville, N.C.
AUSL schedule for Wichita games
Saturday, June 7 — Volts vs. Blaze, 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 8 — Volts vs. Blaze, 4 p.m.
Monday, June 9 — Volts vs. Blaze, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17 — Bandits vs. Talons, 6 p.m.; Blaze vs. Volts, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 18 — Bandits vs. Talons, 6 p.m.; Blaze vs. Volts, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 20 — Bandits vs. Blaze, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 21 — Bandits vs. Blaze, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 22 — Bandits vs. Blaze, 4 p.m.
Monday, June 23 — Bandits vs. Blaze, 4 p.m.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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