1997 NCAA Division I softball tournament

The 1997 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the sixteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1997, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1997 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 22 through May 26 and marked the conclusion of the 1997 NCAA Division I softball season. The event returned to Oklahoma City after a one-year hiatus, and it has remained there ever since. Arizona won their fifth NCAA championship by defeating UCLA 10–2 in the final game. Arizona pitcher Nancy Evans was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

Regional No. 1 - held at Tucson, Arizona
Arizona qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 2 - held at Columbia, South Carolina
South Carolina qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 3 - held at Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 4 - held at Fresno, California
Fresno State qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 5 - held at Lafayette, Louisiana
UCLA qualifies for WCWS

Regional No. 6 - held at Ann Arbor, Michigan
Michigan qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 7 - held at Norman, Oklahoma
Washington qualifies for WCWS.

Regional No. 8 - held at Amherst, Massachusetts
UMass qualifies for WCWS.

Participants
†: Excludes results of the pre-NCAA Women's College World Series of 1969 through 1981.

All-Tournament Team
The following players were members of the All-Tournament Team.