The WBSC Premier12 tournament will be expanded to include 16 teams starting in 2027, demonstrating the success of the initial two editions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) main event.
The WBSC Executive Board has given the green light to this format adjustment for the upcoming third edition. This will feature the top 12 teams based on the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking by the end of 2023. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Guadalajara and Tepic (MEX), Taipei City (TPE), and Nagoya (JPN) from November 9 to 18, with the Super Round and Finals set to be hosted at the Tokyo Dome from November 21 to 24.
Japan, as the current titleholders from the 2019 edition, will defend their championship in 2024. But in 2027, twenty nations will have the chance to compete for victory, with two qualifying events preceding the participation of sixteen teams in a preliminary stage consisting of four groups.
In 2025, the top 12 teams in the WBSC/Konami Men's Baseball World Rankings will secure direct qualification for the 2027 Group Stage. Teams placed 13-18, along with two Wild Cards, will participate in the Premier12 Qualifiers to determine the remaining four participants in the Group Stage.
Apart from the thrilling new format, the WBSC Premier12 2027 is scheduled just a year ahead of baseball's reintroduction to the Olympic Games sport lineup at Los Angeles 2028.
President Riccardo Fraccari of the WBSC praised the expansion as a historic milestone for the organization and evidence of baseball's ongoing development.
President Fraccari stated that starting in 2027, more countries will take part in the WBSC Premier12, creating greater global opportunities and expanding the Premier12 brand in the future.
Fraccari also said "After the first two editions achieved success, our marketing partners and major stakeholders responded positively to the proposed changes. We are confident that fans will enjoy the increased participation of more teams", adding, "Leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the upcoming fourth edition is expected to enhance the success of the tournament taking place next month, culminating in an outstanding final in Tokyo."
Comments