Premier12 to expand to 16 teams in 2027 highlighting success of WBSC’s flagship event
The WBSC Premier12 will expand to involve 16 teams from 2027, highlighting the success of the first two editions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC’s) flagship event.
The WBSC Executive Board has approved the format change ahead of the third edition, which involves the top 12 teams on the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking as at the end of 2023 and will take place in Guadalajara and Tepic (MEX), Taipei City (TPE) and Nagoya (JPN) from 9 to 18 November, with the Super Round and Finals being held at the Tokyo Dome from 21 to 24 November.
Japan are the defending champions, havingwon the last edition in 2019, but in 2027, 20 countries will have theopportunity to go for glory, with two qualification tournaments before 16 teamsparticipate in a four-group Opening Round.
The top 12 teams in the WBSC/Konami Men'sBaseball World Rankings at the end of 2025 will qualify directly for the 2027Group Stage, while the teams ranked 13-18 and two Wild Cards will play thePremier12 Qualifiers to define the other four participants in the Group Stage.
In addition to the exciting new format, theWBSC Premier12 2027 comes just one year before baseball makes its return to theOlympic Games sport programme at Los Angeles 2028.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari hailed theexpansion as an historic moment for the WBSC and proof of the continued growthof baseball.
President Fraccari said: “From 2027, anincreased number of countries will participate in the WBSC Premier12, whichwill offer more opportunities globally and expand the Premier12 brand movingforward.
“Following on from the success of the firsttwo editions, there was a positive response to the proposed changes among allour marketing partners and major stakeholders, and we are confident that fanswill love seeing more teams involved.
“Ahead of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, the fourth edition promises to build on what we are sure will be a successful tournament next month, culminating in a brilliant final in Tokyo.”
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