Softball's World Cup trophy returns to Australia ahead of tickets going on sale

Australian sports fans will soon be able to secure their seats for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027, with tickets going on sale this Thursday 8 October, as the sport’s coveted World Cup trophy returns to Australian soil for the first time in more than 60 years.

Eight of the world’s leading softball nations will descend on Kayo Stadium, Moreton Bay from 5 to 10 April 2027, with Australia’s Aussie Spirit set to compete for a world title on home turf against the likes of reigning and Olympic champions Japan and 12-time victors USA.

Past, present and future generations of Australian softball came together at Kayo Stadium today for the unveiling of the World Cup trophy, alongside Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander, Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley MP and City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery, Aussie Spirit athletes, former Australian players and local junior softballers.

The Italian-crafted, 24K gold-plated brass trophy draws inspiration from the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup logo and the swing of a softball bat. In less than 200 days, it will be lifted at Kayo Stadium by the 2027 world champions. 

The eight participating nations were confirmed following the conclusion of the World Cup Group Stagesin September, where USA secured their spot alongside Mexico and wildcard China. They will join Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico and the defending champions Japan, who won the title by defeating USA 6-1 in the 2024 final.

Teams will be pitching for a place in the Gold Medal Game at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2027, which stands as the first qualifying event for the LA28 Olympic Games. With only five teams set to join host nation USA at LA28, every opportunity to secure an Olympic berth will be critical. The tournament will also mark Queensland’s first major international team event on the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032.

World Baseball Softball Confederation Executive Director Michael Schmidt says the tournament marks a defining step for the continued global popularityof women's softball.

"Watching this trophy come home to Australia for the first time since the inaugural event in 1965, is a powerful marker of how far women's softball has travelled.

"The eight nations walking into Kayo Stadium have fought hard to be here, and this event is a major milestone ahead of softball’s sixth appearance on the Olympic programme at LA 2028.”

CEO of Softball Australia, Sarah Loh, says the 2027 Women's World Cup is the moment for the sport to claim its place in the national spotlight.

"Australia has a proud legacy in women's softball, and we can't wait for the country to get behind the Aussie Spirit.

“After more than 60 years of seeing our athletes represent Australia overseas, I could not be more excited for them to finally play a home World Cup in front of friends, family, supporters, and the next generation of Australian athletes.

“We want to see Kayo Stadium packed with green and gold as the Aussie Spirit take on the best teams in the world.”

Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, says hosting the World Cup on home soil is a significant opportunity for Australian softball.

"Australians love backing our athletes, and the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 will give us the chance to cheer on the Aussie Spirit in a home World Cup for the first time in more than 60 years.

“The Albanese Government is investing $750,000 to support the event, bringing the world’s best softball players to Queensland and giving Australian fans the opportunity to see elite international competition up close.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase women’s sport, inspire future generations, particularly young women and girls, and see our athletes compete for a place at the LA28 Olympic Games.”

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander said that events like these bring benefits to the whole state.

"Queensland is the home of Australian sport, and we're making sure that our state secures more major events like the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals, giving international visitors a chance to experience Queensland before 2032."

"In the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want to create more opportunities to see world-class sport in our backyard, inspiring Queenslanders to be more active, emulating their sporting heroes."

Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley MP said the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 would be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region to visitors from around the world.

“This is a major international sporting event coming to our doorstep, giving local fans the chance to see some of the world’s best softball players right here in Queensland," Ms Dooley said.

“With more than $3.65 million expected to flow into the Queensland economy, the World Cup Finals will deliver a boost for local businesses and tourism operators while putting our community on the world stage.”

City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery, says Redcliffe and Kayo Stadium are ready to welcome the athletes and their supporters.

“Hosting the world’s best softball nations right here in Moreton Bay is an incredible opportunity for our city. Kayo Stadium will be transformed from an NRL venue into a world-class international softball diamond, giving local fans the chance to experience a World Cup in their own backyard.

“The event will bring athletes, supporters and visitors to City of Moreton Bay, providing a boost for local businesses and supporting local jobs as we continue building towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

In May 2026, it was announced that Kayo Stadium will be converted from an NRL field into a purpose-built international softball diamond when the Aussie Spirit take on the other top seven nations in the world from 5 – 10 April, 2027.

Tickets for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 go on sale this Thursday, 8 October at 1pm AEST. Fans can find out more and get ready to secure their seats at softballworldcup2027.com

The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 is supported by Australian Government, the City of Moreton Bay and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games.