Softball Australia today announced it has been awarded by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) the hosting rights for their 2027 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals in, to be held in Redcliffe, Queensland.

Australia, which hosted the first international women’s softball tournament in Melbourne, February 1965, will welcome the event again 62 years later.  This time, the Women’s Softball World Cup returns to Australia, with Talobilla Park, just outside Brisbane, set to host the top eight teams in the world to battle for the title of World Champions currently held by Japan.

The tournament will also serve as a key benchmark for teams in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where softball will return as an Olympic sport for the first time since Tokyo 2021. Australia boasts a proud Olympic record in softball, having medalled in four of the five Games where the sport has been included.

This announcement comes shortly after Softball Australia announced a landmark three-year partnership with A.G. Coombs Group, Australia’s leading building services specialist. The partnership aligns two organisations with a shared commitment to excellence, inclusion, and community development. A.G. Coombs already plays a pivotal role in supporting two cornerstone SA initiatives: the Stacey Porter National Indigenous Talent Identification Academy and the Tanya Harding Women’s Leadership Academy — both central to Softball Australia’s long-term strategy to create inclusive elite pathways and develop future leaders.

Russell Telford (A.G. Coombs Group Managing Director) pictured with Aussie Spirit
legend Stacy Porter (left) and current U18's Junior Spirit, Lekyhia Jackson (right).

In response to today’s hosting announcement, A.G. Coombs has extended its support to become its first World Cup event sponsor, further strengthening their partnership and backing female athletes from grassroots to the world stage.

“Hosting the World Cup Finals on home soil is a dream come true for our athletes, fans, and the entire softball community,” said Sarah Loh, Softball Australia’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to A.G. Coombs for sharing our vision and helping us deliver not only a world-class tournament but also a legacy for the local community and across Australia.” “Without all our major investment partners, the Commonwealth government, the Queensland State Government and Moreton Bay Council, we wouldn’t be here today making this announcement”.

“We are proud to extend our support for Softball Australia at such a pivotal moment,” said Russell Telford, Managing Director of A.G. Coombs Group. “This event will inspire the next generation and reflects our shared belief in the power of sport to unite communities, champion diversity, and create lasting impact.”

With the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals set to bring the world’s best to Queensland, the partnership between Softball Australia and A.G. Coombs promises to leave a lasting legacy for the sport and inspire the next generation of Australian softball stars.