Alabama Soccer Earns No. 3 Seed in SEC Tournament
Alabama opens the 2026 SEC Tournament in the quarterfinals after finishing its regular season at 14-4.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
Alabama soccer earned a first-round bye as the No. 3 seed in the 2026 SEC Tournament, which runs Nov. 8-15 in Pensacola, Florida. The Crimson Tide finished the regular season 14-4, closing with a road loss to Mississippi State.
Why it matters
The bye gives Alabama a direct path into the quarterfinals while Auburn and LSU meet in the first round. A win in the quarterfinals would put the Tide in position for the semifinals on Nov. 12.
The 14-4 regular-season record and No. 3 seed reflect Alabama's standing among SEC teams, with the bye coming from the tournament's seeding format. Alabama's opponent in the quarterfinal will be decided by the Nov. 8 Auburn vs. LSU game at 2:00 p.m. CT, and that result remains unknown.
The players
Alabama Crimson Tide soccer
The University of Alabama's NCAA Division I women's soccer program, competing in the Southeastern Conference.
Auburn Tigers soccer
Auburn University's soccer program, a conference rival whose first-round matchup with LSU determines Alabama's quarterfinal opponent.
The details
Alabama will open play in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, held at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Florida. The Tide's most recent meetings include a 1-1 preseason draw with LSU and a 1-0 win over Auburn this season, the second such meeting this year.
Timeline
Nov. 8, 2026: First-round games, including Auburn vs. LSU at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Nov. 10, 2026: Alabama's quarterfinal against the Auburn/LSU winner.
Nov. 12, 2026: SEC Tournament semifinals.
Nov. 8-15, 2026: SEC Tournament runs in Pensacola, Florida.
Season Trajectory
Alabama's 14-4 finish and No. 3 seed place it among the strongest teams in the SEC field heading into the postseason. The bye sets up a quarterfinal rematch dynamic with Auburn or LSU, both of which Alabama has already faced this season or in recent tournament play.
Fans following the SEC Tournament can track Alabama's path through the bracket, with the quarterfinal on Nov. 10 depending on the Auburn-LSU result. A win in that quarterfinal would advance the Tide to the Nov. 12 semifinals in Pensacola.
The takeaway
Alabama's bye puts the Tide one win away from the semifinals, and the quarterfinal matchup will be set by Friday's Auburn-LSU result.
What happens next
Auburn and LSU play on Nov. 8 to determine Alabama's quarterfinal opponent, with Alabama playing on Nov. 10.
Further reading
For more on Alabama's season, see Soccer coverage from Tuscaloosa.
