Korea’s 38th National Softball Championships Begin in Busan
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Fifteen teams will compete in four age and competition categories as Korean softball prepares for major domestic and international events.
The 38th Korean National Softball Championships are set to begin on August 29 at Gijang-Hyundai Motor Dream Ballpark in Gijang County, Busan.
The national tournament is being organised by the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA), with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. The event is being held in cooperation with the Busan Baseball Softball Association and the Gijang Urban Management Corporation.
15 Teams to Compete
A total of 15 teams from different parts of South Korea will take part in the championships.
The teams have been divided into four categories:
- U-15: Four teams
- U-18: Four teams
- University: Four teams
- Senior: Three teams
The U-15 competition will also feature Goyang City G-Sports Club, a newly established team that made its debut at this year’s National Junior Sports Festival. The championships will give the young side another opportunity to gain experience and measure its progress.
Round-Robin Format
Each division will begin with a round-robin stage. The two highest-ranked teams in each category will then advance to the final.
The competition is expected to provide teams with valuable match experience while allowing coaches and players to assess their preparations ahead of upcoming events.
The championships will serve as an important domestic test before the 107th National Sports Festival. Players will also be able to use the tournament as preparation for international competitions, including the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, the U-15 Softball Asia Cup and the University Softball Asia Cup.
Gijang Venue Ready for Competition
Gijang-Hyundai Motor Dream Ballpark is recognised as Korea’s only dedicated softball stadium and will host the national championships.
Organisers said particular attention would be given to tournament operations and safety arrangements so that players can compete in a secure and well-managed environment.
KBSA President Yang Hae-young said the national championships provide players with an important platform to demonstrate their progress and prepare for larger competitions.
He also encouraged participants to focus on safe play, sportsmanship and continued development regardless of the final results.
The tournament is expected to contribute to the continued development of softball in Korea while giving athletes an opportunity to compete against some of the country’s leading teams in their respective categories.
