October 16, 2023

Official WBSC news release

Pully, SWITZERLAND - The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is delighted and honoured that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session has confirmed baseball and softball as part of the sports program for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

The WBSC has been in close dialogue with the IOC and LA28, as well as other key stakeholders, on why baseball and softball would be the perfect addition to the sports program in Los Angeles.

Both sports have continued to enjoy global growth since the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and are woven into the DNA of the United States. The WBSC is confident that baseball and softball will contribute to making the Olympic Games LA28 an incredible celebration of sport and unity.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “We are delighted that baseball and softball have been confirmed as part of the sports programme at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 by the IOC Session.

“The WBSC firmly believes that baseball and softball will help millions of fans engage with the Olympic Games, especially with USA being home to many of the sports’ best players and biggest stars from across the world. It is going to be an electric atmosphere in LA where the best baseball and softball athletes in the world will have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage in front of a global audience of billions.

“Baseball has been in the Olympics six times and softball five times and their inclusion in LA28 will excite athletes and fans across the US and around the world, inspiring a new generation of boys and girls to chase Olympic glory.

“Our ongoing efforts to develop baseball and softball globally will continue as we look ahead with much excitement to Baseball5 at the Youth Olympic Games 2026 and baseball/softball in LA28 as well as our ultimate aim of our sport earning a permanent place on the Olympic programme.”

Baseball will feature at an Olympic Games for the seventh time, having first been played at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992, while it is the sixth time that softball is included on the program having made its debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.