Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series
Premier Youth Softball National Championship
The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is the premier national championship in youth softball, emulating NCAA Softball’s postseason format to help prepare our athletes for the next level. The top youth teams in the country compete in the AFCS with a National Champion crowned at each age division. Host cities for the AFCS rotate each year.
HOW TO QUALIFY
The AFCS has a limited number of berths in each age division. Each season, teams must earn a berth to the AFCS through qualifiers and points from our Alliance Rating System.
Member leagues are awarded a specific number of AFCS berths at the beginning of each season based on League membership numbers and historical attendance. Member Leagues then assign those AFCS berths to tournaments in their regions. The Alliance Fastpitch also awards its national events, including the Super Cup Qualifiers, with AFCS berths. A certain number of ‘national berths’ in each age division will be held by the Alliance Fastpitch to award to growing territories.
Check your League Schedule (search “QUALIFIER” under “event types”) to see which tournaments in your region have AFCS berths for your age division.
TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Given the AFCS format, all qualifying teams are “seeded” for the national tournament, just like in college softball. The AFCS Seeding Committee reviews each team’s resume and then places the top 32 teams in Regionals for 14U-18U divisions.
Your team earns points through our Alliance Rating System all season to help with your AFCS seeding as well. Check your League Schedule (search “POINTS” under “event types”) to see which tournaments in your region award points based on your game results. If you regularly compete in a tournament that is not listed on your League Schedule, click here to have that tournament added.
TIERS
All teams will begin the AFCS in the Regional Bracket. Based on your performance in Regionals, teams will be seeded into a Tiered Super Regional Bracket. This Tiered System allows all teams to continue to compete for a National Championship in a balanced format. Teams who did not receive a top 32 seed have the opportunity to play their way into Tier I. Teams who did not play well in Regionals have an opportunity to reset and compete for a National Championship in Tier II or Tier III.
2025 AFCS INFO
Dates & Locations
For the first time ever, all AFCS games and age divisions will be played in the same location: Hamilton County and Kokomo, Indiana
10U & 12U | July 15-21, 2025
- July 15: Day 0
- July 21: Championship
16U & 18U | July 20-27, 2025
- July 20: Day 0
- July 26/27: Championship Days
14U | July 24-31, 2025
- July 24: Day 0
- July 30/31: Championship Days
"…it’s really teaching these athletes who are about to go off to college what it means to play when every inning and every game really matters."
- Krista Stoker, Extreme Elite 18u
"The format is exciting. It’s like multiple tournaments within a tournament…what our organizations loves the most is we got into National Tournaments and we aren’t 100% sure where we stack up against the field and the format seeds everyone where they should be in the end."
- Joe Breer, ai Bandits 16u
"The AFCS format is second to none. It sets the girls up well for their future and what they’ll experience at the next level, whether they go on to play DI, DII or DIII….this format sets the kids up for success."
- Richele Hall, Team Pennsylvania 18u
"We love playing the NCAA format….win or lose we came here to play the best competition."
- Randy Boyd, Wisconsin Lightning 18U
"This past summer at Alliance Nationals was an incredible experience! Competing against some of the best teams from across the country really pushed me to elevate my game. The atmosphere was intense with a lot of talented players showcasing their skills. My Texas Glory summer team had some of the best athletes and coaches which led us to the Elite 8. I learned so much from each game, both in terms of strategy and teamwork. It was also a great opportunity to bond with my teammates, celebrating our wins and supporting each other through the tough moments. The overall experience really solidified my love for the game and motivated me to keep improving."
- , Texas Glory
Event format & schedule
Opening Day (Day 0):
- College Camps (14u, 16u, & 18u)
- Team Check-in & Coaches Meeting
- Player's Experience
- Skills Challenges
- Home Run Derby
- All-Star Game (18U/16U location)
AFCS Regionals (Day 1 & 2):
- 16 Seeded Brackets
- Double Elimination Format
- Top 2 finishing teams from each Regional move to Tier I Super Regional
- 3rd and 4th place teams from each Regional move to Tier II Super Regional
- Remaining places move to Tier III Super Regional
- All teams will advance to a Super Regional Bracket (Tier I, Tier II, & Tier III)
AFCS Super Regional (Day 3 & 4):
- 8 Brackets -- 4 teams per Super Regional Bracket
- Double elimination bracket
- Winner from each Super Regional advances to their respective Tier's Elite 8
AFCS Elite 8 (Day 5 & 6):
- 2 Brackets - 4 Teams per bracket determined by overall seeds
- Double Elimination Format
- Winner of each bracket advances to the AFCS National Championship Series
AFCS National Championship Series:
- Final 2 teams in each age division and Tier
- Best 2 out of 3 Series Format
QUALIFIED TEAMS
NATIONAL EVENTS COLLEGIATE ATTENDEES
