OSKALOOSA, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2026--
For the first time ever, Oskaloosa, Iowa, will host the Junior League Softball Central Region Tournament from July 23 – 29, 2026. This will be the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Junior League Softball World Series (JLSWS) to be held at Everest Park in Kirkland, Washington. One of seven World Series events held by Little League ® International each summer, the JLSWS is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for players to represent their communities on the global stage. The games provide an opportunity to build sportspersonship, friendships, and memories.
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"From my first visit to the Lacey Recreation Complex, it was clear Oskaloosa is well suited to host a tournament of this caliber," said Assistant Central Region Director Cody Shimp. "The facilities are first class, and the combination of a strong and welcoming community will create an outstanding experience for the players."
“We’re so excited to host the players and their families in Oskaloosa,” said Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt. “The welcome ceremony will be on our historic square the same night as our annual Sweet Corn Serenade, which makes the experience even more special for both the players and our community.”
The Central Region Tournament is one of 12 tournaments – 8 in the U.S. and 4 internationally – to qualify teams for the Junior League Softball World Series. Little League estimates the tournament will include about 150 players with about 500 additional family and friends attending the tournament. From regular season community games to the World Series, the experiences as part of the Little League program teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities.
About Little League Softball
Founded in 1974, the program has more than 25,000 softball teams and 300,000 participants worldwide. Working to grow the game of softball at the grassroots level, Little League ® has collaborated with more than 25 countries to create a foundation for success. Little League Softball includes divisions of play for girls ages 4 to 16, which culminates at three Softball World Series tournaments for international competition and friendship.
About John F. Lacey Recreation Complex in Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa is a community built around recreation and sport, where families gather; kids play, and tournaments bring energy year-round. Led by the Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation, the John F. Lacey Recreation Complex serves as the hub—featuring premier ballfields, soccer facilities, and trails that make Oskaloosa a destination for leagues, events, and active living.
Lacey Recreation Complex, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Tiny Bodø/Glimt produced another Champions League shock by stunning last year's beaten finalist Inter Milan 3-1 in the playoffs on Wednesday.
The Norwegian underdog followed up back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid by securing a two-goal advantage going into next week's second leg in Milan.
Anthony Gordon scored four goals in the first half as Newcastle routed Qarabag 6-1.
Atletico drew 3-3 away to Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkusen has a 2-0 lead after its first leg at Olympiacos.
Bodø/Glimt is fast becoming the unlikely story of this season's Champions League, producing one upset after another.
After booking its place in the playoffs with wins against City and Atletico, it strengthened its chances of advancing to the round of 16 with victory against Italian league leader Inter.
Sondre Fet put the home team ahead after collecting Kasper Hogh’s backheel in the 20th minute.
Francesco Pio Esposito equalized before the break, but Bodø/Glimt took control in the second half.
Hogh produced a second assist to set up Jens Petter Hauge in the 61st and then got a goal himself three minutes later.
Inter was a beaten finalist in two of the last three seasons, but now faces a major test to advance to the next round.
Newcastle was 5-0 up by halftime against Qarabag in Azerbaijan and, barring an unlikely collapse in the second leg at home, is cruising into the round of 16.
Gordon completed his hat trick in 33 minutes at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium in Baku and got a fourth in first-half added time.
Malick Thiaw was also on target for the Premier League team, which had 16 shots in a rampant first half.
Elvin Jafarguliyev pulled one back for Qarabag, which has been one of the surprise stories of this season's Champions League after qualifying for the playoffs. But Jacob Murphy's deflected strike completed the rout for Newcastle, which will be the fifth English team in the last 16 if it advances.
Atletico blew a two-goal lead at Club Brugge and then saw the Belgians come back again with an equalizer in the 89th to keep the teams neck and neck at 3-3.
Julian Alvarez's eighth-minute penalty was followed by another goal from January signing Ademola Lookman in first-half added time.
Raphael Onyedika pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half after Nicolo Tresoldi's effort was saved. Tresoldi then leveled on the hour.
Atletico regained the lead in the 70th through an own goal from Joel Ordonez, but Christian Tzolis produced a final twist in the 89th.
Two goals from Patrik Schick put Leverkusen in complete control against Olympiacos, with the Germans winning 2-0 ahead of the home second leg.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Brugge's team celebrate after Christos Tzolis scored his side's third goal during the Champions League play-off first leg soccer match between Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid, in Bruges, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Bodø/Glimt's Sondre Brunstad Fet celebrates after scoring against Inter's Milan during a Champions League soccer match, Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, in Bodo, Norway. (Mats Torbergsen/NTB Scanpix via AP)
Bodø/Glimt's Jens Petter Hauge celebrates after scoring against Inter Milan during a Champions League soccer match, Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, in Bodo, Norway. (Thomas Andersen/NTB Scanpix via AP)
Newcastle's Jacob Murphy celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal during the Champions League play-off first leg soccer match between Qarabag and Newcastle in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo)
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League play-off first leg soccer match between Qarabag and Newcastle in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo)
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League play-off first leg soccer match between Qarabag and Newcastle in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo)
