In two years, the LA28 Olympic Games will open in Los Angeles, and anticipation is building as Baseball and Softball prepare to showcase their global appeal on one of sport’s greatest stages.

Baseball will begin competition at the iconic Dodger Stadium on 13 July 2028, (two years from yesterday) just one day before the 2028 Opening Ceremony, while Softball will take center stage from July 23, 2028 in Oklahoma City–one of the world’s premier softball venues and a city renowned for its rich history in the game.

“Baseball and Softball have a proud Olympic heritage and have consistently delivered unforgettable moments on the world’s biggest sporting stage,” WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said.

“With two years to go until LA28, excitement is building across our global community as our athletes begin the journey towards Los Angeles. From the iconic Dodger Stadium to the world-renowned venue in Oklahoma City, LA28 will celebrate not only the excellence of our athletes, but also the global growth, passion and unity that define our sport.”

With a rich Olympic heritage spanning decades, Baseball and Softball have consistently delivered some of the Games’ most memorable moments, showcasing exhilarating competition and unforgettable performances before global audiences.

Baseball first joined the Olympic program as a medal sport at Barcelona 1992 – following demonstration appearances at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 – producing iconic moments and introducing fans to many of the game’s greatest international stars.

Softball, meanwhile, made its Olympic debut at Atlanta 1996 and has since established itself as one of the Games’ most dynamic team sports, with legendary athletes and dramatic contests capturing the imagination of fans around the world.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games once again demonstrated the global appeal of both disciplines.

Softball had the honor of opening the Olympic competition as the first event of the Games, while the Baseball gold medal game between host nation Japan and USA became the most-watched live event on Japanese television during the Olympic Games.

Together, Baseball and Softball have featured athletes from around the world, reflecting their continued growth and the strength of the WBSC’s global community.

LA28 will provide another opportunity for the world’s top players to inspire new generations and showcase the excitement and universal appeal that have long defined both disciplines.

The qualification pathways for both sports are already under way, including the WBSC Women’s Softball World Group Lima which started yesterday in Peru.

Japan, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Philippines, Venezuela and hosts Peru arrive in Lima with different journeys but the same ambition, secure one of two places at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 with the goal to continue striving to make the LA2028 Olympic Games.

In Softball, with hosts USA also qualified, the highest-placed team at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 in Redcliffe, Queensland, will earn a quota spot, followed by the top team from each of three continental qualification events — Europe/Africa, Asia/Oceania, and the Americas — with the final place decided at the Final Qualification Event.

As the countdown to LA28 continues and with qualification intensifying, Baseball and Softball athletes around the world are preparing to write the next chapter in the rich Olympic history of both disciplines, bringing more unforgettable moments to Los Angeles in 2028.