NCAA softball recruiting calendar 2026-27
Which days college softball coaches can watch and meet recruits, in plain English. The dates are read from the NCAA's own Division I calendar, last updated July 30, 2026.
Today, November 3, 2026
Evaluation period
Coaches can watch and visit schools, but not meet recruits off campus.
Sep 4 to Nov 8
Next: dead period starts Nov 9, in 6 days.
Coaches are out watching games, so film and a page they can open in ten seconds matter most. Send your athlete's link, and tell coaches the game schedule.
2026-27, day by day
Division I Softball, 2026-27
NCAA calendar (PDF)NCAA calendar updated July 30, 2026
- Contact period
- Evaluation period
- Quiet period
- Dead period
- Recruiting shutdown
Show all 17 periods as a list
| Period | Dates | Calendar days |
|---|---|---|
| Contact period | Aug 1 to Aug 9 | 9 |
| Evaluation period | Aug 10 to Aug 27 | 18 |
| Dead period | Aug 28 to Sep 3 | 7 |
| Evaluation period | Sep 4 to Nov 8 | 66 |
| Dead period | Nov 9 to Nov 12 | 4 |
| Evaluation period | Nov 13 to Nov 22 | 10 |
| Quiet period | Nov 23 to Nov 24 | 2 |
| Recruiting shutdown | Nov 25 to Nov 29 | 5 |
| Quiet period | Nov 30 to Dec 8 | 9 |
| Dead period | Dec 9 to Dec 12 | 4 |
| Quiet period | Dec 13 to Dec 21 | 9 |
| Recruiting shutdown | Dec 22 to Dec 26 | 5 |
| Quiet period | Dec 27 to Dec 30 | 4 |
| Recruiting shutdown | Dec 31 to Jan 2 | 3 |
| Evaluation period | Jan 3 to May 31 | 149 |
| Dead period | Jun 1 to Jun 11 | 11 |
| Contact period | Jun 12 to Jul 31 | 50 |
Notes printed on the NCAA calendar
- Evaluation period, Aug 10 – Nov 22. (For scholastic practice and competition activities only)
- Evaluation period, Oct 17–18, 24–25, Oct 31 – Nov 1, Nov 7–8, 14–15, 21–22. (For scholastic and nonscholastic practice or competition activities)
- Evaluation period, Jan 3 – May 31. (For scholastic practice and competition activities only)
- Evaluation period. During high school regional and state championship competition that does not occur during a dead period.
What each period means
These limit when coaches can meet or watch recruits in person. They do not stop a family from emailing a coach.
Contact period
Coaches may meet recruits and families in person on or off campus, watch them play, and visit their schools.
What a family does
Coaches can be at the school, at games and at the family's home. Be ready with film, grades and your page link.
Evaluation period
Coaches may watch recruits play and visit their schools to see them, but may not have in-person contact with the recruit or the family away from the college's campus.
What a family does
Coaches are out watching games, so film and a page they can open in ten seconds matter most. Send your athlete's link, and tell coaches the game schedule.
Quiet period
Coaches may meet recruits in person only on the college's campus. They may not meet or watch recruits off campus.
What a family does
If your athlete is visiting a campus, this is when the coaches there can meet them.
Dead period
Coaches may not meet recruits in person or watch them play, on or off campus, and campus visits are not allowed. Calls, texts and emails follow separate NCAA rules.
What a family does
A good time to build the page, add film and update stats. Email coaches so your athlete is in front of them when they are free to look.
Recruiting shutdown
A period when no form of recruiting is allowed: no contacts, evaluations, visits, correspondence, or making or receiving phone calls.
What a family does
Coaches may not recruit in any form, so do not expect replies. Use the time to update the page, and send your emails when it ends.
Be easy to find while coaches are looking
Put your athlete's season, stats and film on one page a coach can open in ten seconds, then email the coaches who recruit their position. It is free to start.
Questions families ask
What is a contact period in college softball recruiting?
Coaches may meet recruits and families in person on or off campus, watch them play, and visit their schools. In 2026-27 it runs Aug 1 to Aug 9, Jun 12 to Jul 31.
What is an evaluation period in college softball recruiting?
Coaches may watch recruits play and visit their schools to see them, but may not have in-person contact with the recruit or the family away from the college's campus. In 2026-27 it runs Aug 10 to Aug 27, Sep 4 to Nov 8, Nov 13 to Nov 22, Jan 3 to May 31.
What is a quiet period in college softball recruiting?
Coaches may meet recruits in person only on the college's campus. They may not meet or watch recruits off campus. In 2026-27 it runs Nov 23 to Nov 24, Nov 30 to Dec 8, Dec 13 to Dec 21, Dec 27 to Dec 30.
What is a dead period in college softball recruiting?
Coaches may not meet recruits in person or watch them play, on or off campus, and campus visits are not allowed. Calls, texts and emails follow separate NCAA rules. In 2026-27 it runs Aug 28 to Sep 3, Nov 9 to Nov 12, Dec 9 to Dec 12, Jun 1 to Jun 11.
What is a recruiting shutdown in college softball recruiting?
A period when no form of recruiting is allowed: no contacts, evaluations, visits, correspondence, or making or receiving phone calls. In 2026-27 it runs Nov 25 to Nov 29, Dec 22 to Dec 26, Dec 31 to Jan 2.
Can I email a college softball coach during a dead period?
Yes. These periods limit when coaches may meet or watch recruits in person. They do not stop a family from emailing a coach, and a coach who is not allowed to meet your athlete in person can still read their page.
Does this calendar apply to Division II and Division III?
No. The NCAA publishes recruiting calendars for Division I. Division II and Division III follow their own recruiting rules, so ask the college's compliance office.
Where do these dates come from?
They are read from the NCAA's own 2026-27 Division I softball recruiting calendar, last updated July 30, 2026, and checked against the dates the NCAA prints beside each calendar. Rules change, so check with a school's compliance office before you plan around a date.
Other sports
Sources: the NCAA's 2026-27 Softball recruiting calendar. This is general information, not legal or compliance advice. NCAA rules change, so confirm with the college's compliance office. Read the full rules at NCAA.org.