Australia will host the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027, welcoming the world’s top eight teams to Redcliffe, Queensland for a landmark event in international sport.  

President of the World Baseball Softball Federation (WBSC) Riccardo Fraccari joined representatives from the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the City of Moreton Bay in Redcliffe to announce Australia’s successful bid, alongside and Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh. 

The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 will be one of the key global tournaments before softball takes its place on the Olympic stage at Los Angeles 2028, making it a crucial stepping stone for teams with their sights set on gold. 

Softball holds a rich history in Australia, with the inaugural WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship hosted in Melbourne in 1965, one of the earliest tournaments in the world for women’s team sports and a pivotal moment that helped pave the way for greater gender equity in international competition.  

The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027, to be held from 5 to 11 April 2027, will be the first time since the inaugural event that the major tournament for women’s softball has returned to our shores. It will be broadcast to millions across the globe. 

Softball was one of the first women’s team sports added to the Olympic program in 1996, and since then, Australia has medaled in all but one of the five Olympic Games editions where softball featured.  

Supported and co-funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and City of Moreton Bay, the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 will leave a lasting legacy for the sport and local community.  

The Women’s Softball World Cup Finals is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Sports and Recreation. As part of the hosting rights, Queensland will also secure a suite of national championships in the lead up Brisbane 2032. 

Clubs, state associations, and hundreds of volunteers will have the opportunity to deliver an unforgettable, world-class event. Combined with Softball Australia’s ‘We Love Softball, So Will You’ grassroots campaign, it will spark a new generation of players and boost the sport’s profile nationwide. 

Quote attributable to President of the World Baseball Softball Federation, Riccardo Fraccari 

"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. Held one year before the LA2028 Olympics and five years before the Brisbane 2032 Games, this tournament will highlight Australia's great passion for softball and the deep roots the sport has in the country's sporting community." 

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells 

“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. 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.” 

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander 

“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. 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.” 

Quote attributable to City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery 

“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. With eight countries competing, our community will get to see many of the sport’s greatest athletes in action while our local businesses will benefit from increased tourist activity. 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.” 

Quote attributable to Softball Australia CEO, Sarah Loh 

“After 60 years, the return of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup to Australian soil is more than a sporting milestone. 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.”