Kayo Stadium to stage WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals 2027 in Australia

Softball Australia, the City of Moreton Bay and the Organising Committee of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 announced today that Kayo Stadium will host the tournament, set to be played from 5 to 11 April 2027 in Redcliffe, Australia.

The confirmation of Kayo Stadium - a rugby league ground for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the NRL, which is also used for football - elevates the LA28 Olympic qualifier to a world-class major event venue, marking Queensland’s first major international team event on the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032.

In an innovative move, the rugby league stadium will be converted into a purpose-built international softball diamond to host the best teams in the world in 2027.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at Kayo Stadium, with Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh joined by City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery, Dolphins Group President Bob Jones, Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer, Member for Redcliffe Kerrie-Anne Dooley, representatives from Redcliffe Leagues Softball Association and Softball Queensland, as well as members of the Aussie Spirit and Head Coach Kerrie Porter.

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“Hosting the World Cup Finals at Kayo Stadium allows us to present women’s softball on a truly international stage,” Loh said. “This is about elevating softball, showcasing our sport to new audiences, and creating more opportunities for people — particularly young girls and women — to discover and fall in love with softball.”

The Australia Minister for Sport Anika Wells said her government was committed to investing in women’s sport, whether at a global or grassroots level.

“Kayo Stadium is going to be an incredible home for the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals. The Aussie Spirit will compete in front of 10,000 fans in a world-class venue — that’s the atmosphere an LA28 Olympic qualifier deserves,” Minister Wells said. “This isn’t just a tournament — it’s a legacy. Young girls around Australia will watch the Aussie Spirit compete on the world stage and dare to dream. That’s what sport does at its best, and that’s exactly why the Australian Government is proud to support it.”

The transformed stadium will deliver enhanced broadcast capabilities, spectator experience and accessibility, positioning the Finals as one of Australia’s premier women’s sporting events in 2027.

The move also strengthens the event’s legacy impact, with Redcliffe - which is less than one hour north of Brisbane - set to benefit from new infrastructure, increased community engagement, national team activity and international team presence throughout the tournament period.

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Talobilla Park, which was previously announced as the venue for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027, will remain a core part of the tournament footprint, serving as the Official Warm-Up and Training Venue.

Kayo Stadium has a capacity of 10,000 and is owned and operated by the Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club. Opened in 1979 and redeveloped between 2016 and 2020, the venue features high-quality broadcast lighting, a video screen, modern player facilities and excellent public transport access via Kippa-Ring train station.

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said hosting the Softball World Cup would encourage more Queensland women and girls to participate in the sport. “We know that when the best athletes in the world compete in our backyard, as they will during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, more Queensland kids will be inspired to get out and be active,” Minister Mander said. “Queensland is the home of Australian sport, and hosting major events like the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals in 2027 will further enhance our state’s global reputation.”

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City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said securing the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals at Kayo Stadium was a major win for the City.

“Hosting this event in the City of Moreton Bay reinforces our commitment to supporting sport and attracting major events that deliver lasting community and economic benefits,” Flannery said. “I am delighted that we have been able to collaborate with our friends at The Dolphins and Softball Australia to support competition matches at Kayo Stadium, while continuing the event legacy at Talobilla Park as the Official Warm-Up and Training Venue, ensuring Redcliffe remains central to the World Cup experience.

“Council has worked hard to support this innovative approach and is delighted to welcome players, fans and team officials to our City, further building our reputation as a destination for major sporting events.”

Fans can register for ticket updates via Softball Australia.

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