Tainan, Taiwan, will play host to a group of the world’s top women’s baseball teams next summer, as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has awarded the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) the rights to organize the second group stage of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup 2026. From August 23 to 27, the Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadiums and Training Centers (ASPAC) in Annan will be the focal point for international competition, showcasing the growing strength and appeal of women’s baseball.
The decision to award the hosting rights to Chinese Taipei underscores the nation’s commitment to baseball and its growing investment in women’s sports. The ASPAC complex, already designated as the headquarters for Chinese Taipei National Teams, is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support high-performance athletes. It features two regulation-size stadiums, two youth stadiums, two infield training fields, six outdoor batting and pitching tracks, and a dedicated indoor training facility, ensuring athletes have access to the resources they need to compete at the highest level. The main stadium boasts a capacity of 8,000 fans, while the second stadium can accommodate 1,000 spectators.
This isn’t the first time Tainan has been a center for international baseball. The city has a rich baseball history, dating back to the Japanese colonial period. Tainan Municipal Stadium, completed in early 1931, stands as one of the oldest baseball stadiums in Taiwan, a testament to the sport’s deep roots in the region. The city’s passion for the game is further evidenced by its status as the home of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), who play their games in the main stadium at ASPAC, which has a capacity of 25,000.
The 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup will be a two-stage tournament, involving 12 teams divided into two groups of six. The Tainan group will follow the first group stage, held in Rockford, Illinois, from July 22 to 27. The top three teams from each group will then advance to the finals, scheduled to take place in Rockford from July 19 to 25, 2027. This structure aims to provide a competitive and engaging format for the world’s best women’s baseball players.
A Growing Global Game
The WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup has seen significant growth in recent years, reflecting a broader trend of increasing participation and recognition for women in baseball globally. Japan currently reigns as the dominant force in the sport, having secured seven consecutive World Cup titles, most recently in 2024, according to the WBSC. Their continued success has spurred other nations to invest in developing their women’s baseball programs.
Several teams have already qualified for the 2026 tournament. Great Britain earned their spot by winning the European Championship in August 2025. This victory marked a historic moment for the program. In the Americas, Venezuela, Mexico, and Cuba secured their places through the Pan American Women’s Baseball Championship, while Canada and Puerto Rico will compete in a best-of-five series to determine the final Americas qualifier. From the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Korea have all qualified through the VI BFA Women’s Baseball Asian Cup. Australia will represent Oceania, and the United States and China qualified as hosts of the two group stages.
The WBSC will also award a Wild Card to complete the 12-team field, providing an opportunity for a deserving team to join the competition. The selection process for the Wild Card will be announced in the coming months.
Tainan’s Historical Connection to Baseball
The choice of Tainan as a host city is particularly fitting given the city’s long and storied relationship with baseball. Founded in 1624 by the Dutch, Tainan is the oldest city on the island of Taiwan. During the Dutch colonial period, Fort Zeelandia, built between 1624 and 1634, served as a key administrative and military center. In 1661, Koxinga, a Ming dynasty loyalist, besieged and captured Fort Zeelandia, marking a significant turning point in the island’s history.
But, it was during the period of Japanese rule, beginning in 1895, that baseball truly took root in Taiwan. The Japanese government actively promoted the sport as a means of instilling discipline and fostering a sense of community. Tainan Second Senior High School was among the first schools to establish a baseball team, laying the foundation for the sport’s enduring popularity in the region. The city’s first dedicated baseball stadium, Tainan Municipal Stadium, was completed in just three months, from November 1930 to January 1931, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm for the game.
Today, Tainan continues to embrace its baseball heritage, and the upcoming Women’s Baseball World Cup promises to be a celebration of the sport and a showcase for the talent and dedication of female athletes from around the globe.
The WBSC is expected to announce the full tournament schedule and further details regarding the Wild Card selection process in the coming months. Fans interested in attending the Tainan group stage can find more information on the WBSC website. The event represents a significant opportunity to promote women’s baseball and inspire the next generation of players.
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