Your guide to the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals: 10 key facts

The WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals will open on 27 September, with eight of the world’s best teams competing for the title of World Champion. Here are 10 things to know about the oldest and most prestigious Youth Softball World Cup.

1. A true global tournament

Counting last year’s Group Stage, the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup has been staged 11 times in the Americas (host federations Brazil, Canada, Peru and USA), three in Asia (China and Chinese Taipei), one in Oceania (Australia), one in Africa (South Africa) and one in Europe (Netherlands). Together with the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup, it is one of only two WBSC events played on every continent.

2. Oklahoma’s Devon Park welcomes the world again

Devon Park will host the event for the second time, after its first time staging the tournament in 2015. Two fields will be used: OGE Energy Stadium, where all 16 Super Round, Placement Round and Medal Games will be played, and Diamond 4, which will stage six Opening Round games.

3. Launch pad for softball stars

The WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup has shaped the international careers of many legends. Of the 90 players who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, 46 had once played in the junior world championship. This year, 75 of the 120 players at The World Games 2025 have youth World Cup experience. How many from the 2025 Finals will go on to represent their countries at the LA28 Olympic Games?

4. A new format

For the first time, the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup is played under a two-stage system. The Group Stage in 2024 determined the eight finalists - Chinese Taipei and Czechia (Group A, São Paulo); Japan and China (Group B, Pingtan); USA and Canada (Group C, Dallas). Puerto Rico and Mexico earned wild cards as the top-ranked third-placed teams. In total, 53 games were played in the Group Stage (four Group B playoff games were rained out).

5. The next generation

The Finals are open to players aged 14 to 18 - those born between 2007 and 2011. Each roster can carry up to 16 athletes.

6. A select list of champions

Only three countries have ever won the title: USA (8), Japan (5) and China (1). USA are the defending champions after edging Chinese Taipei, 1-0, in the 2021 final in Lima. Seven sides have medalled in the tournament’s history, including also Chinese Taipei, Australia, Puerto Rico and Canada. Could 2025 bring a new name to the trophy?

7. Part of a bigger picture

This is the second of three consecutive WBSC Softball World Cups hosted at Devon Park. In 2024, it staged Group C of the Men’s Softball World Cup; in 2026, it will welcome Group C of the Women’s Softball World Cup.

8. A rich history

The competition began in 1981 in Edmonton, Canada, as the Junior Women’s Softball World Championship, followed by Fargo, North Dakota (1985). Both were held alongside the Junior Men’s event. In 1987, Eggeling Stadium in Oklahoma City hosted the women’s championship as a stand-alone event for the first time. It was rebranded as the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup in 2021.

9. The trophy

Standing 44 cm tall and weighing 6 kg, the World Cup trophy is a work of art. Each part is hand-finished and treated with galvanic processes in gold, silver, satin or polished finishes to create its unique look. This will be only the third time this trophy is awarded, after 2019 and 2021.

10. A softball pilgrimage site

Fans attending the Finals will have the chance to visit the USA Softball National Hall of Fame Museum, located next to Devon Park. Opened on 1 July 1973, it is dedicated to celebrating the milestones of the sport in the US.