The USA Softball Women’s National Team has returned to Australian shores for the first time in 25 years, headlining the USA Down Under International Softball Series in Brisbane from 31 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.

The four-day international series will see the reigning 2025 World Games champions and Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalists, face off against Australia’s Aussie Spirit at Redlands Softball Association in Ormiston.

This long-awaited visit marks the USA team’s first trip to Australia since winning gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

That same tournament delivered one of the most memorable moments in Australian softball history – the Aussie’s dramatic 2-1 victory over the USA in the bottom of a tie-break 13th inning to keep their Olympic medal hopes alive on home soil and breaking the USA’s 110 game winning streak.

Yesterday, the two teams visited the Australia Zoo and got to make friends with kangaroos and even snakes (no thanks!).

Check out this video of the two teams having fun together:

Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh said that the series represents the latest chapter in one of softball’s most storied international rivalries, with both nations having played pivotal roles in developing the sport globally over six decades.

“In 1965, Australia hosted the inaugural Women’s Softball World Championship, defeating the USA to claim the first-ever world championship title and marking the first women’s World Cup of any sport held in Australia. This series reconnects us with that proud history while creating new memories for our community,” Ms. Loh said.

“Hosting a team of this caliber on home soil gives our athletes meaningful preparation ahead of the Women’s Softball World Cup and the journey toward LA 2028. We’re already seeing the impact of securing hosting rights, with the USA the latest in a series of international arrivals, and Japan and New Zealand set to follow next month for the Softball Australia Cup.”

The USA Softball Women’s National Team is led by head coach Patty Gasso, widely regarded as softball’s greatest coach, and star players such as World Games gold medalists Maya Brady, Megan Faraimo and Tiare Jennings.

The series is a key stop in Team USA’s preparation for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027, which will also be hosted in Queensland.

“It’s incredibly special for us to be competing in Australia for the first time in 25 years,” said Team USA head coach, Patty Gasso.

“This matchup has proven to be popular with softball fans, and history tells us we can expect some great games. Anytime we get to represent our country on the international stage, it’s an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of these elite athletes.”

“It’s also a chance to grow the game and connect with more softball fans here in Australia, while showing the world the grind and dedication our sport requires,” she added.

The upcoming USA visit and the WBSC World Cup Finals 2027 are key milestones in Softball Australia’s international engagement and event delivery pathway.

Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh added:

“With more than 129 countries playing softball and a global audience of 61 million at the 2024 World Cup Gold Medal Game, this meeting of two sporting superpowers on Australian soil highlights softball’s remarkable international reach and competitive significance.”

The Aussie Spirit team selected for the USA Down Under International Softball Series includes:

• Pippa Adkins (TAS),
• Taylor Chillingworth (SA),
• Olivia Elliott (SA),
• Olivia Kuzminski (WA),
• Kandra Lamb (NSW),
• Alyssa Mighell (NSW),
• Kaia Parnaby (NSW),
• Madison Scott (SA),
• Jayme Reddacliff (TAS),
• Ellen Roberts (NSW),
• Kylie Steemers (QLD),
• Brooke Stewart (QLD),
• Jenna Trim (NSW),
• Shaylan Whatman (NSW),
• Tamieka Whitefield (QLD),
• Grace Wrixon (NSW).

Series matches will take place at Redlands Softball Association, Sturgeon Street, Ormiston on Wednesday, December 31 at 2pm, Thursday, January 1 at 2pm, Friday, January 2 at 2pm and Saturday January 3 at 11am.

The USA Down Under International Softball Series has free entry and no tickets are required.

EVENT DETAILS:

• What: USA Down Under – International Softball Series
• When: 31 December 2025 – 3 January 2026
• Where: Redlands Softball Association, Sturgeon Street, Ormiston, Queensland
• Visit softball.org.au for event details.

ABOUT SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA

Softball Australia is the national governing body for softball in Australia. Membership comprises eight States and Territories (Member States), Associations, Clubs and individual members who play, coach, officiate and support softball in Australia.

Latest results: Australia vs. Chinese Taipei 22- 26 November 2025

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