The International World Games Association (IWGA) announced the dates and competition venues for all 35 sports to be featured on the sports programme of The World Games 2025, on the day that the International World Games Association (IWGA) celebrates its 44th anniversary (founded on 21 May 1980). Men's softball will be played from 6 to 10 August 2025, while the women's competition will be contested from 13 to 17 August.
Softball will be played at Sichuan Baseball-Softball-Hockey Centre located in Southern Chengdu. With the Opening Ceremony slated for 8 August, the men's softball event will open two days in advance on 6 August. The gold medal game will be played on 10 August. After two days off, the women's event will open on Wednesday 13 August, finishing on the 17th.
“The World Games 2025 in Chengdu will offer an unprecedented experience for everyone attending, harnessing Chinese hospitality and their solid experience in hosting world-class sports events," said IWGA President José Perurena. "The Organising Committee is focused on hosting a spectacular, impactful and sustainable Games with a lasting legacy for Chengdu and the region. We have full confidence that it will be a remarkable event at the heart of a dynamic community.”
A total of eight teams will play the softball competitions at The World Games 2025. As host, China has earned an automatic berth into the men's and women's events. The top six countries in the WBSC/KONAMI Men's Softball World Ranking and WBSC/KONAMI Women's Softball World Ranking at 31 December 2024 will also qualify for the global multi-sport event, and a wild card for each tournament will complete the field of teams.
Staged every four years and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), The World Games is a multi-sport showcase of non- and potential future Olympic sports. Softball has featured three times previously including the inaugural edition in 1981 in Santa Clara (CA), USA, in 1985 in London, England and the previous edition The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA.
