top of page
Writer's pictureBaseballdeCuba
Oct 242 min read

Tournament Premier12 is set to increase to 16 teams by 2027, showcasing the triumph of WBSC's main event

(Photo: WBSC)

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

Commenting has been turned off.

News

Americas Series

Official schedule released for the first Americas Series, Nicaragua 2025
The 2025 Americas Series schedule was presented in Nicaragua.

BCL Americas

WBSC reveals the second Americas Baseball Champions League set for April 2025
Second edition of the Americas Baseball Champions League announced.

U15

Carlos Sarduy's outstanding performance leads Cuba to win the II U-15 Caribbean Cup title
Carlos Sarduy's brilliant start helped Cuba secure a 1-0 win against the Bahamas, earning the gold at the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Cuba advances to the final of the U-15 Caribbean Cup, after beating the US Virgin Islands 10-0
In the first semi-final, Cuba defeated the US Virgin Islands 10-0, advancing to the final of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Bahamas big third inning ends Cuba's undefeated run with an 11-8 win in the U-15 Caribbean Cup.
Bahamas ended Cuba's unbeaten streak with an 11-8 victory in the last game of the qualifying round of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

In its second appearance at the U-15 Caribbean Cup, Cuba defeated St. Maarten 13-1 in five innings
Cuba with second win in the U15 Caribbean Cupa, fter beating Saint Marteen 13-1.

U15

Revised schedule following adjustments due to the confirmed absence of the Dominican Republic
The schedule for the II U-15 Caribbean Cup has been adjusted following the absence of the Dominican Republic.

U15

Cuba made a strong start with a solid 12-0 win against the US Virgin Islands in the U-15 Caribbean Cup
Cuba starts the II U-15 Caribbean Cup with a win, after a 12-0 victory over the Virgin Islands.

U15

Cuba for the title of the second edition of the U-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup that begins today in the Bahamas
Starting today, Cuba will take part in the Caribbean Baseball Cup U-15 category, eager to obtain the title.

WBSC

Cuba at its lowest point in history following the announcement of the new WBSC/KONAMI world ranking
Cuba drops two spots in the WBSC/KONAMI world rankings following the conclusion of the Premier12 world tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei wins its first ever world title with a 4-0 rout of Japan. USA wins bronze after beating Venezuela 6-1
Chinese Taipei made history with its first-ever World Cup championship after beating Japan 4-0 at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday night.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6, ahead of Sunday's final. Team USA beat Venezuela 6-5, and both will compete for bronze
Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6 and both teams will play the Premier12 final this Sunday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Shugo Maki's grand slam gives Japan a 9-6 win over Venezuela. Chinese Taipei continues to surprise and beat Team USA 8-2 in the afternoon
Samurai Japan remains undefeated with a 9-6 win over Venezuela, while Taipei disposes of Team USA 8-2 on Friday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan convincing win, beats Team USA 9-1. Venezuela also has its first win by beating Chinese Taipei 2-0
Japan had a convincing first win against Team USA while Venezuela also beat Chinese Tapei in the start of the Super Round.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei blanks Cuba 2-0, advances to the Super Round as second in Group B. Japan undefeated
Chinese Taipei defeated Cuba 2-0, advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo with a 4-1 record. Cuba is at the bottom of Group B.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan secures a spot in the Super Round of the global tournament by narrowly defeating Cuba 7-6
Japan secured first place in Group B of the WBSC Premier12 with a hard-fought 7-6 win over Cuba.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba secures its first win thanks to Yadir Drake's crucial home run and strong performance from the bullpen
Yadir Drake's home run and the work of the Cuban bullpen keep Cuban hopes alive in the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba is aiming to secure a must win against Australia to stay alive in Group B. Darío Sarduy appointed as the starting pitcher
Cuba will go up against Australia this Saturday at 12:00 pm local time in Taiwan, aiming to secure a crucial first win.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | South Korea handed Cuba its second loss with two home runs by Kim Do-yeong, during a disastrous performance by Liván Moinelo
South Korea defeated Cuba 8-4 to hand them their second defeat of the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba suffered its first defeat, 6-1, following a late comeback by the Dominican Republic
In the opening game of Group B at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 in Taipei City, the Dominican Republic handed Cuba a difficult 6-1 loss.
bottom of page