Pitch perfect: Moreton Bay chosen to host Softball World Cup event

Published 21 August 2025

• City of Moreton Bay has been selected as the host city of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 
• With eight countries competing, the international event will be the biggest sporting event ever held in the City of Moreton Bay  
• The event will bring an influx of visitors and economic benefits as the City is thrust onto the international stage, while also lifting local participation in the sport 

City of Moreton Bay is preparing for its biggest ever sporting event after being selected as the host city for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027. 

Eight countries will compete in the international event as the Women’s World Cup Finals return to Australian soil for the first time since the inaugural 1965 Softball World Championships.  

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council was proud to be providing the venue for the event, which would help lift local participation in the sport and raise the City’s global profile. 

“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,” he said. 

“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. 

“The influx of visitors and global attention on our City will support our push for more hotel investment ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’d love to see softball part of the 2032 Games, and we are investigating how we can support their push for inclusion in the sports program.”  

Held at Talobilla Park from 5-11 April 2027, 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. 

The tournament is being backed by City of Moreton Bay, the Federal and State governments, and Softball Australia.  

A new modern and accessible clubhouse at Talobilla Park will also be constructed ahead of the international event. The $4.8 million clubhouse project, which will support more than 700 members in the Redcliffe Leagues Softball Association, is being jointly funded, with the Federal Government and City of Moreton Bay each contributing $2.4 million. 

“The return of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup to Australian soil is a powerful opportunity to inspire the next generation with Olympic dreams, boost grassroots participation, and deliver lasting benefits to local communities,” said Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh. 

“The strong support from all levels of government to bring the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup to City of Moreton Bay is both welcome and vital.” 

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: "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." 

Minister for Communications and Sport, Anika Wells said: “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.” 

Minister for Sport, Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the event will be a coup for Queensland. 

"In the leadup to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want Queensland to host more global sporting events and the Women’s Softball World Cup is a perfect example of that,” Minister Mander said. 

“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.” 

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.