<P> The Women's College World Series (WCWS) is the final portion of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship for college softball in the United States . The tournament format consists of two four - team double - elimination brackets . The winners of each bracket then compete in a best - of - three series to determine the Division I WCWS National Champion . The WCWS takes place at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City . From 1969 to 1981, the women's collegiate softball championship was also known as the Women's College World Series and was promoted as such . During 1969--1979, the series was played in Omaha, and in 1980--1982 in Norman, Oklahoma . The NCAA held its first six Division I tournaments in Omaha in 1982--1987, followed by Sunnyvale, California in 1988--1989 . The event has been held in Oklahoma City every year since then, except for 1996 in Columbus, Georgia . </P> <P> Softball was one of twelve women's sports added to the NCAA championship program for the 1981--82 school year, as the NCAA engaged in battle with the AIAW for sole governance of women's collegiate sports . The AIAW continued to conduct its established championship program in the same twelve (and other) sports . The 1982 softball championship tournaments of both the AIAW and the NCAA were called "Women's College World Series ." However, after a year of dual women's championships, the NCAA conquered the AIAW and usurped its authority and membership . </P>

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