Italy earns hosting rights for WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup 2025 and WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026
Italy hosted a WBSC tournament for the first time when it staged the Women's Softball World Cup Group C in 2023 and will host the Finals 2024 from July 15 to 20. The WBSC U-15 Women's Softball and WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup hosting rights will extend their commitment to international events to four consecutive seasons.
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<p>The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) awarded the Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) hosting rights for the WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup 2025 and the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026.</p>
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<p>The WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup is expected to played in July 2025 (final dates and venue TBC) while the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup is proposed to be played in the northern hemisphere summer of 2026 (final dates and venue TBC). </p>
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<p>"We were impressed by the smooth organisation of the Women's Softball World Cup Group C in 2023, and we are looking forward to a successful Women's Softball World Cup Finals," commented WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. "Organizing the U-15 Women's Softball World Cup and the U-15 Baseball World Cup continues Italy's impressive international baseball/softball commitment to four consecutive seasons."</p>
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<p>FIBS President Andrea Marcon said: "I am particularly proud of the awarding of these events, not only because it is a recognition of the organisational work that our movement has been able to implement in recent years, but also and above all for the precious promotional opportunity that world events guarantee us towards the fans, media and institutions. An opportunity for which I would like to truly thank the WBSC." </p>
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<p>The WBSC launched the U-15 Women's Softball World Cup in 2023. Tokyo, Japan, hosted the event <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-u15-womens-softball-world-cup/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="from October 21 to 29 (opens in a new tab)">from October 21 to 29</a>. World No. 1 USA defeated No. 2 Puerto Rico in the final to claim the first-ever U-15 Women's Softball World Title.</p>
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<p>Italy will host the seventh WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. The tournament was inaugurated in 2012, and Colombia will host the sixth edition this year<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" from August 26 to September 4 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-vi-u15-baseball-world-cup/home" target="_blank"> from August 26 to September 4</a>.<br>The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup succeeded the WBSC World Youth Baseball Championship, a U-16 competition inaugurated in 1989. It played 13 editions through 2011.</p>
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