The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has awarded the hosting rights of one of the three XVIII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup groups to Oklahoma City, USA.
With a group and the Finals already confirmed for Prince Albert, Canada, Oklahoma City will host a group from 17 to 21 September 2024 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. The composition of the groups, as well as the hosts and dates of the third group, will be announced at a later stage.
The next WBSC Men’s
Softball World Cup will be the first to be played under the Two-Stage format, a
new format with the Group Stage and the Finals hosted in consecutive years. An
expanded number of 18 teams will participate across three groups in the Group
Stage with the top two from each group advancing to the Finals.
The WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup will return to Oklahoma City for the first time in 56 years, after hosting the second edition of the event in 1968. This will be the fifth time the tournament visits USA. After 1968, the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup was played in Tacoma, Washington, in 1980; and Midland, Michigan, in 1984 and 1996.
One of the most iconic softball stadiums in the world, the OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City received a $27.5 million facelift with an added upper deck that increased capacity by 4,000 seats, a three-story press box as well as upgraded ticket windows and complex entrances. Since it was built, the complex has played host to some of the biggest softball events, including the U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2015 and the highly-touted NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) – an event which the facility has played host for over 30 years.
The XVIII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup has now eight qualified teams. As hosts, world No. 4 Canada and No. 5 USA have been granted a spot in the Group Stage. In addition, No. 6 Czechia, No. 11 Denmark and No. 16 Netherlands qualified from the European Championship; while No. 3 Japan, No. 12 Singapore and No. 15 Philippines advanced from the Asian Qualifier. The Oceania Qualifier is scheduled from 9 to 11 November in Pago Pago, American Samoa, with two tickets to the World Cup at stake.
The last edition of the Men’s Softball World Cup was played in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2022 with Australia clinching their second world title. Canada earned the silver medal and USA won the bronze.
