(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
2027 Women’s Softball World Cup Set for Redcliffe, Queensland
Queensland has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 Women’s Softball World Cup, which will take place at Talobilla Park in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane. The tournament is scheduled from April 5 to 11, 2027, and will feature the top eight women’s teams from around the world.
This event marks the first time Australia has hosted the Women’s Softball World Cup since 1965, when the inaugural tournament was held in Melbourne and the national team won gold.
Olympic Significance
The 2027 World Cup is expected to serve as a qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Organizers also see it as a major step toward including softball in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari called the announcement an “historic moment” for the sport. “The best eight teams of the world will be here … the attention of the world will be here,” he said. “This World Cup links the past to the future and strengthens softball’s case for Brisbane 2032.”
Local Support and Community Impact
Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh emphasized the tournament’s global appeal and commercial potential. “At last year’s Women’s World Cup in Italy, there were over 64 million views. Softball attracts spectators, brings corporate interest, and has massive global reach,” she said.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery highlighted Redcliffe’s strong softball community, with over 700 club members. “For people to see the best players in the world here, this will be the biggest sporting event ever for Moreton Bay,” he noted.
The Albanese Government will contribute $750,000 toward hosting the event, providing a strong platform for Australia’s teams ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics. Queensland’s Minister for Sport, Racing, and Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander added that the tournament will inspire young softballers across the state, which boasts the highest participation rate in the country.
Historic Return to Home Soil
The first Women’s Softball World Cup in 1965 featured Australia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and the USA, with Australia claiming the title. Margaret Swann, a member of that inaugural championship team, attended the announcement in Redcliffe and expressed her excitement for the next generation.
“This is wonderful for young female players. They have so much opportunity to compete and potentially become Olympians,” Swann said.
The 2027 tournament promises to showcase top international talent, boost local engagement, and strengthen softball’s bid for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
