Finals in Prince Albert: 10 things to know about the most anticipated WBSC Men's Softball World Cup event in history

The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 are set to open on Tuesday at Prime Ministers Ballpark in Prince Albert, Canada. Eight teams will compete for the title of World Champion. Here are 10 key facts about this historic event:

1 - With a population of nearly 40,000, Prince Albert is located near the centre of Saskatchewan, on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Known as the "Gateway to the North" it is the last major urban centre on the route to the rich natural resources of northern Saskatchewan, and is a hub for world-class fishing, hunting and outdoor adventure.

2 - With 17 editions having been played over 59 years, nine countries have medalled at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup. Seven of them will compete in Prince Albert: Canada (14 medals), New Zealand (13), USA (10), Australia (5), Japan (3), Venezuela (2) and Argentina (1). Mexico (2) and the Bahamas (1) are the only medal-winning countries not participating in the Finals. The Dominican Republic is the only team in the tournament yet to earn a medal in the event.

3 - All four venues used in the current edition of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup have previously hosted a Softball World Cup, underscoring the WBSC’s focus on legacy. Group A was staged in Hermosillo, Mexico, at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium and Fernando Ortiz Stadium. Both venues were renovated ahead of the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup 2023. Group B was played at Max Power Ball Parks at Prime Ministers Park in Prince Albert, Canada, which previously hosted the WBSC U-19 Men's Softball World Cup 2018. The third group of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup took place at the iconic Devon Park in Oklahoma City, USA, home of the WBSC U-19 Women's Softball World Cup 2015.

4 - Rotary Field, the main diamond at Max Power Ballparks in Prince Albert, will host all 22 games of the Finals. The field was developed through Project Triple Play for the WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Cup 2018 and remains a legacy for the local community. After hosting Group B last year, it now completes its legacy cycle by staging the Finals 2025.

5 - The 45cm, five-kilogram trophy awarded to the World Champions in 2019 and 2022 is inspired by the tournament logo. It features a dynamic upper-body silhouette of a hitter, with a signature blue helmet and a golden arch symbolizing the honour of representing one’s country at the highest level. The curves in the figure represent the evolution and global expansion of softball.

6 - The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup has been organised in seven countries of the five Olympic continents: Mexico (1966, 2024-Group Stage); USA (1968, 1980, 1984, 1996, 2024-Group Stage); Philippines (1972, 1992); New Zealand (1976, 2004, 2013, 2022); Canada (1988, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2024/2025); South Africa (2000); and Czechia (2019).

7 - Five nations have claimed the Men’s Softball World Champion title: New Zealand (7), USA (5), Canada (4), Australia (2), and Argentina (1). All five will be present in Prince Albert. In 1976, New Zealand, USA, and Canada shared the title after the playoffs were cancelled due to rain.

8 - This is the first WBSC Men's Softball World Cup to be played under the Two-Stage Format. A total of 57 games were played across the Group Stage. Each group consisted of a round robin with the top four teams advancing to the Play-Offs. The top two sides played each other with a ticket to the Finals at stake, while the loser of the first play-off game then played against the third v fourth winner for the second spot in the Finals. Dominican Republic and Australia advanced from Group A; Argentina and New Zealand made it from Group B; while USA and Japan earned the tickets in Group C. Venezuela and Canada received a wild card for the Finals as the top-ranked nations among the third-place finishers.

9 - The WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup isn’t the only major men's softball event this year. In August, men’s softball will return to The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China - the only global multi-sport event that includes men's softball. The competition is scheduled from 6 to 10 August.

10 - The eight finalists have been divided into two groups for the Opening Round:

• Group A: Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Venezuela
• Group B: Australia, Dominican Republic, Japan, USA
  The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round (11–12 July). The World Championship Final is set for 13 July at 14:00.