IOC confirms new format for Youth Olympic Games; WBSC reiterates excitement for Baseball5’s debut at Dakar 2026

The WBSC has reiterated its excitement for Baseball5 to make its Olympic debut in Senegal at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 and fully supports the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board to evolve its approach to the YOG sports programme in order to fit it better into the local context.  

Baseball5’s presence on the Dakar 2026 sport programme was further confirmed today following the IOC Executive Board’s approval of the Olympic Programme Commission’s recommendations aimed at modernising and streamlining the YOG programme ahead of Dakar 2026.

The IOC worked closely with the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee to determine the sports competition programme and sport engagement programme for Dakar 2026 keeping in mind an updated set of sports principles, with the aim of providing a sustainable and credible model for Dakar 2026:

• The sports principles limit each sport to one discipline, ensure credible elite youth competitions, exclude mixed-National Olympic Committee (NOC) medal events, propose innovative formats, and maximise connections with Senegal and Africa.
• The athlete quota reduces the overall athlete numbers, while ensuring gender equality.
• The venue and operational strategy maximise the use of existing venues, avoid significant refurbishments except for essential needs, promote sharing of venues and Fields of Play (FOPs), and minimise road and beach events to reduce complexity and city impact.
• The NOC representation and qualification principles will be ensured via a pathway for all NOCs to the YOG Dakar 2026, with a strong focus on African NOCs and athletes, and considering continental representation across all sports.
• The maximum age for participants will be 17 at the time of the Games, with the respective age requirements aligned with IF and elite athlete pathways where feasible.

Based on the newly defined principles, the IOC decided to maintain the official involvement of all 35 IFs in Dakar 2026, with 25 sports, including Baseball5, featuring on the competition programme and 10 to be part of the engagement programme. 

“Adopting a tailored approach to the sports programme for the Youth Olympic Games allows us to ensure that each edition is uniquely aligned with the host context and needs,” said Kirsty Coventry, IOC Member and Chair of the Coordination Commission for the YOG Dakar 2026. "This flexibility not only enhances the relevance and appeal of the YOG but also fosters innovation and engagement. We are excited to see how this new model will enrich the experience for all participants and spectators at Dakar 2026 and beyond."

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “Weare very excited for our urban discipline to play a key role at Dakar 2026, andI have no doubt it will be a huge hit. When launching Baseball5, we wanted tocreate something that was truly accessible to all and could be playedeverywhere, while also embracing urban and youth appeal. We are thrilled to seehow Baseball5 has opened our sport to new corners of the world.”

The IOC said that sports included in the competition programme have been assessed with their respective IFs, in collaboration with local authorities, their NFs in Senegal and more broadly across Africa, to ensure the sports and their chosen disciplines align well with the elite pathways of each sport. For Dakar 2026, these sports are:

Aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, breaking, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, handball, judo, rowing, rugby, sailing, skateboarding, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, wrestling and wushu.

Sports on the engagement programme will also have the opportunity to establish a significant presence at the YOG, with these sports being showcased through various activities on the ground and on the various Olympic online platforms, promoting them as integral parts of the YOG Dakar 2026. For Dakar 2026, these sports are:

Canoe, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, tennis and weightlifting.

Baseball5, a dynamic, urban version of traditional baseball, has seen rapid growth since its launch in 2017. With mixed-gender teams of five-a-side and maximum rosters of eight, alongside minimal equipment requirements, the sport is perfectly aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 which emphasises gender equality and youth appeal.

The sport has also gained significant traction in Africa, where its cost-effectiveness and accessibility - requiring only a rubber ball - have contributed to its popularity. The first Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico in 2022 marked a historic moment, with Kenya, South Africa, and Tunisia participating, while Ghana, Zambia and Tunisia were all part of the inaugural Youth Baseball5 World Cup in Turkiye in 2023, highlighting the growing interest in the sport across the African continent.

Further showcasing its impact, Baseball5 has been introduced in Jordan's Azraq Camp, offering displaced individuals both hope and opportunity, while the WBSC Legacy Club is supporting new programmes in Kenya. Plans are also underway for a Baseball5 Refugee Team to compete at the Dakar 2026 YOG.