Softball Australia Secures Automatic Qualification & Wild Card for ‘The World Games 2025’ in Chengdu, China!

January 23, 2025 – Softball Australia is thrilled to announce that both the Australian Men’s Softball Team (Aussie Steelers) and the Australian Women’s Softball Team (Aussie Spirit) have secured their spots at ‘The World Games 2025’ in Chengdu, China, taking place from 6-17 August 2025!

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has confirmed the eight men’s and eight women’s teams that have qualified to compete in ‘The World Games 2025’.

‘The World Games 2025’ prestigious global event that has been held every four years since 1981. This 11-day competition which offers 30 sports and their athletes a chance to compete for gold and solidify their place in history on the world stage.

A Historic Moment for Men’s Softball: The Aussie Steelers Automatically Qualify

In a landmark achievement, the Aussie Steelers, reigning WBSC World Champions, have automatically qualified for ‘The World Games 2025’, making history as men’s softball returns to the competition after a 44-year absence. This is a major milestone not only for the team but for the sport of softball. 

The Steelers have a big schedule in 2025, as they will be competing at the WBSC 2025 Men's Softball World Cup Finals, in Canada from July 8 – 14, where they will be looking to defend their World Cup Championship win from 2022. If the Steelers retain the World Cup in 2025, they’ll be only the third country in history to win back-to-back softball World Cup titles.

“We are proud to see men's softball return to The World Games after such a long absence," said Sarah Loh, CEO of Softball Australia. "As the reigning World Champions, our men’s softball team has already proven their dominance on the global stage, and we are excited to showcase their skill and determination once again in Chengdu."

The Aussie Spirit Earns a Wild Card to Compete in Chengdu

Following the men's achievement, Softball Australia is equally excited to announce that the Aussie Spirit, the Australian Women’s Softball Team, has been awarded a coveted Wild Card for ‘The World Games 2025’. As the highest-ranked team from Oceania, the Spirit's qualification will see them compete against the world’s best, further cementing Australia's presence on the international softball stage.

“We are beyond excited to have secured a place in ‘The World Games 2025’,” said Peta Searle OAM, Softball Australia National High-Performance Director. “This is a critical opportunity for us to showcase our strength and skill on the world stage while taking an important step towards the road to LA 2028. We can't wait for both of our teams to represent Australia on the world stage.”

A Historic Moment for Australian Softball

The qualification of both teams highlights the depth of talent in Australian softball, reflecting the nation’s commitment to excellence in the sport. The World Games 2025 will provide both the Aussie Steelers and Aussie Spirit the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and unite to inspire the Australian softball community.

"This is a historic moment for Australian softball," said Clare Walker, Softball Australia General Manager – Game Development, “For the first time in our history, both of our national teams will have the opportunity to travel internationally and compete at the same tournament. Having both teams representing Australia at ‘The World Games in 2025’ is a testament to the dedication and passion of our athletes, and we are incredibly proud of both teams.”

About The World Games 2025

The World Games is a prestigious multi-sport event featuring many sports and disciplines not included in the preceding Olympic Games. Hosted every four years, The World Games brings together the world’s best athletes in over 30 sports. The 2025 edition will take place in Chengdu, China, where more than 3,000 athletes from around the globe will compete. For more information, visit: https://www.theworldgames.org/

Read the WBSC’s announcement here: https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-confirms-qualified-teams-wild-cards-for-the-world-games-2025

For media inquiries, please contact: Taylah Perry, Softball Australia, taylah.perry@softball.org.au