A Championship Built for Younger Teams
Alliance Fastpitch has partnered with Diamond Legacy Events, led by nationally respected event operator Chad Stears, to launch the Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Series Powered by Alliance Fastpitch. Built exclusively for the 10U, 11U, 12U, and 13U age divisions, the series gives younger athletes a true championship to compete for, years before most programs get that opportunity.
Teams earn their way to the inaugural Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Finals in Bentonville, Arkansas, competing for one of just 32 championship berths per age division. It's elite competition, a championship atmosphere, and a real purpose-built pathway for the youngest teams in the game.
Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Finals
Here's what you're playing for. Scroll down to see how to qualify.
How to Qualify
Earn a direct berth at one of the six Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Qualifiers.
Earn an At-Large berth through Diamond Legacy Regional Events.
Earn an At-Large berth through the Alliance Fastpitch Rating Point system.
Qualifying Events
The top 6 finishers in each age division earn a direct berth to the Champions Cup Finals. The top 4 finishers in the 10U, 11U, and 12U age divisions also earn a berth to the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS).
Teams who earn a berth to both the Champions Cup Finals and AFCS can compete in both. Each Champions Cup qualifying event runs a 2 or 3 Pool Play / Double Elimination format.
| Event | Dates | Location | Champions Cup Berths | AFCS Berths (10U,11U,12U) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12U Diamond State Invitational | Sept 25–27, 2026 | Hot Springs, AR | 6 | 4 |
| 13U Diamond State Invitational | Oct 9–11, 2026 | Hot Springs, AR | 6 | 4 |
| 10U & 11U Diamond State Invitational | Oct 23–25, 2026 | Hot Springs, AR | 6 | 4 |
| Diamond Legacy Elite Invitational | Nov 13–15, 2026 | Northport, AL | 6 | 4 |
| Diamond Legacy "The Gator" | Dec 4–6, 2026 | Clearwater, FL | 6 | 4 |
| Diamond Legacy "The Wildcat" | Jan 29–31, 2027 | Tucson, AZ | 6 | 4 |
For any questions on AFCS berths, contact [email protected].
Diamond Legacy Regional Events
At-large berths for the Champions Cup Finals can be earned through the following regional events. Each event awards a minimum of two Champions Cup Finals berths per age division.
| Event | Dates | Location | Champions Cup Berths Per Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Legacy Sooner | Sept 11–13, 2026 | Midwest City, OK | 2 |
| Diamond Legacy "The Cajun" | Sept 18–20, 2026 | Broussard, LA | 2 |
| Midwest Shootout | Oct 17–18, 2026 | Broken Arrow, OK | 2 |
| Diamond Legacy Winter Championship | Nov 20–22, 2026 | Denison, TX | 2 |
Alliance Team Rating (At-Large Path)
Teams may earn an at-large berth via the Alliance Team Rating System. Here's what has to happen for a team to earn an At-Large berth via points:
- 1Attend a Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Qualifier or Regional Event.
- 2Register your team with Alliance Fastpitch, including a team membership and a minimum of 9 players and 1 coach.
- 3Score and stream your games with AthletesGoLive to accumulate points toward your Alliance Team Rating.
Following all Qualifying Events, the Alliance Competition Committee reviews the rankings in each age division for teams who didn't place in a qualifying position. Top-ranked teams earn an at-large invitation based on how many remaining berths are available.
To be considered: register your team with Alliance Fastpitch and score/stream your games with AthletesGoLive.
Player Recognition and Awards
At the end of the Champions Cup Qualifying Series, an All-Tournament Team will be announced for each age division. Each qualifying site will also name a Most Outstanding Player for each age division.
To be eligible for individual player awards, athletes must be registered with Alliance Fastpitch, and teams must score and stream with AthletesGoLive.
Individual award winners will be recognized on Alliance national platforms and at the Cup Finals.
Built Together, For the Next Generation
"Our vision has always been to create meaningful opportunities for athletes at every stage of their development. Partnering with Chad Stears and Diamond Legacy Events allows us to extend that vision to younger athletes through a championship series that emphasizes elite competition, outstanding event experiences, and a true pathway to compete against the best teams in the country."
Jami Lobpries, CEO of Alliance Fastpitch"I'm incredibly excited to partner with Alliance Fastpitch to build something special for the younger age divisions. Our goal has always been to create events that challenge teams while delivering an unforgettable experience both on and off the field. Together, we're creating a national championship series that gives young athletes something to dream about and work toward all season long."
Chad Stears, Owner of Diamond Legacy EventsFAQ
What age divisions compete in the Champions Cup Series?
The series is built exclusively for 10U, 11U, 12U, and 13U teams.
How does a team qualify for the Champions Cup Finals?
Teams can earn a direct berth at one of the six Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Qualifiers, or an At-Large berth through Diamond Legacy Regional Events or the Alliance Fastpitch Rating Point system.
Can we earn AFCS berths through the Diamond Legacy Qualifiers?
Yes. The Diamond Legacy Qualifiers also include 4 AFCS berths in the 10U, 11U, and 12U divisions. Some of the 10U and 14U divisions will also include AFCS berths.
Diamond Legacy Regional Events do not have AFCS berths attached.
Teams can accept both AFCS and Champions Cup berths and play in both events, since they're held at different times of the year.
For any questions on AFCS berths, contact [email protected].
Where and when are the Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Finals?
The inaugural Finals take place July 1–4, 2027, in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Is Alliance Fastpitch membership required?
Full Alliance Fastpitch membership is required to compete at the Champions Cup Finals, consistent with Super Cup Finals and AFON policy. The Finals will be considered an Alliance National Event and compete under National Event Rules.
Alliance membership is not required at Qualifying Events. However, your team must be registered, with a minimum of 9 players, to receive points toward your Alliance Team Rating and consideration for an at-large berth.
Alliance members will also be eligible for awards such as Most Outstanding Player and All-Tournament Team.
How do I register for a qualifying event?
Registration for all Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Series events is handled directly through Diamond Legacy Events.
Ready to Compete?
Registration for the Diamond Legacy Champions Cup Series is open now, direct through Diamond Legacy Events.
