Redcliffe, Australia to host WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in 2027
The WBSC Women's Softball World Cup will return to its cradle in Australia as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) awarded Redcliffe in Queensland the hosting rights of the Finals 2027. Talobilla Park, just 45 minutes outside of Brisbane, will host the top eight teams in the world in a battle for the title of World Champions from 5 to 11 April 2027.
"We're thrilled with the announcement of Redcliffe as host of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2027, the flagship event of international women's softball," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. "Held one year before the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and five years until the Brisbane 2032 Games, this tournament will highlight Australia's strong passion for softball and the deep roots the sport has in the country's sporting community."
“We are committed to investing in women’s sport, whether that’s at a global or grassroots level – and I’m proud we’ve been able to help secure the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals for 2027," Australia Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, said. "The Softball World Cup will build on our successful hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the Women’s Asian Cup next year, the Netball World Cup in 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029 – all events the Albanese Government has invested tens of millions of dollars to host. This event means our Aussie Spirit side can have home support for what will be the first Softball World Cup in Australia since 1965."
"We want to see more global sporting events call Queensland home over the next seven years to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Women’s Softball World Cup is a perfect fit," Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, said. "This is a sport with a strong Olympic history, having been included in the Games in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2020, and it’s fantastic to see it returning at LA 2028. We all remember the impact of the Matildas in 2023 and competing on home turf in a Softball World Cup in 2027 will inspire more young women to emulate their sporting heroes on the field.”
The first WBSC Women's Softball World Cup was played at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, in February 1965, with five participating teams: Australia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and USA. In one of the fiercest battles in softball history, the Australians emerged with a 1-0 triumph over USA to claim the first world title on 21 February, 1965.
The 1,810 kilometres separating Albert Park in Melbourne - the venue of the first-ever WBSC Women's Softball World Cup - and Talobilla Park in Moreton Bay, Queensland also trace Australia’s historic Olympic journey. From hosting the Melbourne 1956 Games, through to the unforgettable Sydney 2000 Olympics featuring a spectacular edition of women's softball, to now looking ahead to Brisbane 2032, the path reflects the nation’s and the sport's enduring connection to the Olympic Movement.
“After 60 years, the return of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup to Australian soil is more than a sporting milestone," Softball Australia CEO, Sarah Loh said. "It is a powerful opportunity to inspire the next generation with Olympic dreams, boost grassroots participation, and deliver lasting benefits to local communities. The strong support from all levels of government to bring the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup to City of Moreton Bay, Queensland is both welcome and vital.”
“We are thrilled to be hosting this major international women’s sporting event, which will boost participation in softball locally and showcase our facilities at Talobilla Park at Kippa-Ring, including a new softball clubhouse," City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said. "This event is expected to generate more than 10,500 visitor nights and contribute $6.3 million in economic spend. Additionally, it is anticipated to have a global TV audience of around 60 million and a similar social reach as softball is very strong in Japan, South Korea and the USA among other countries.”
The WBSC Women's Softball World Cup will start in 2026 with 18 teams participating in the Group Stage. Group A will lead off the competition from 16 to 20 June 2026 in Prague, Czechia; followed by Group B in Lima, Peru, from 21 to 25 July. The third group will be staged in Oklahoma City, USA, from 17 to 21 September next year.
To date, No. 2 USA, No. 8 Australia, No. 11 Czechia and No. 18 Peru have qualified for the Group Stage as host nations of the Group Stage and Finals; No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 4 Canada, No. 7 Mexico, No. 13 Cuba, and No. 14 Venezuela have qualified from the Americas; while No. 1 Japan, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, and No. 10 China advanced from the Asia qualifier. The 18-team lineup will be completed by three teams from Europe, two from Africa, and one from Oceania.
The top two teams from each group, plus two wild cards, will advance to the Finals in 2027.