Knoxville is on deck to host its first professional women's softball team in 2027 as the Professional Softball League plants a flag in East Tennessee. The move links the city into a new summer pro circuit that launched late last year and is already lining up games across the Southeast and beyond.
According to WVLT, the PSL has zeroed in on Knoxville for expansion and expects the club to begin play in the 2027 season. There is no publicly announced team name or home stadium yet, and league officials say local partners are still working behind the scenes to shape the bid.
Where the New Club Fits In
The PSL formally announced its formation in December 2025 and says its inaugural season will run in June and July with broadcast coverage through the All Women’s Sports Network. According to AWSN, the league is set to open with seven teams and roster rules that allow up to 20 players per club. For more on the organization's goals and founding teams, see the Professional Softball League website.
Local Reaction and the Vols Pipeline
The city's college program and deep youth scene make Knoxville a natural fit, former Lady Vol Caylan Arnold Elliott told Softball On SI. "The fanbase is here," Arnold Elliott said, adding that a local pro team would give young players role models and a nearby pathway after college. The University of Tennessee's athletics pages underscore the Lady Vols' national profile and packed home schedules, reinforcing why operators see Knoxville as a fertile market, according to UT Athletics.
PSL spokesperson Ryan Moore told local reporters he is working with Knoxville partners to bring a team to town and that more information should be released in the coming weeks. Per WBIR, Moore said he wants the club to debut in 2027 and is coordinating with local ownership and community groups. That local-level work will determine the team's name, home park and ticketing timeline.
What is next: league and local partners will firm up ownership, venue and community programming before an official rollout. The PSL says teams will carry rosters of up to 20 professional players and will operate under a single-league format, with broadcasts on AWSN. Competing pro structures like Athletes Unlimited are also staging summer play, giving college standouts multiple pro options. Expect official announcements on team identity and season logistics in the weeks ahead as the PSL moves forward with its expansion plan.
