IWBC Adds Four More Major Partners to WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026
ROCKFORD, Ill., July 7, 2026 – The International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) today announced the addition of four major sponsors of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026: Mercyhealth (the U.S. Exclusive Sports Medicine Provider); Winnebago County; Enjoy Illinois; and the Chicago Cubs.
The WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 will make its Illinois debut July 22-26, 2026, at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park. Administered by the WBSC and hosted by the IWBC (501(c)(3)), the tournament is the opening stage of the world’s premier international women’s baseball championship. Mercyhealth, Winnebago County, Enjoy Illinois, and the Chicago Cubs join Bucciferro Family McDonald’s and GoRockford — the U.S. Presenting Sponsor of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 and Final Stage 2027 — as the event’s top six U.S. partners.
“The International Women’s Baseball Center is grateful for the partners and sponsors who have stepped up to help bring the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage to the Rockford region this July 22–26, 2026,” said Dr. Kat Williams, IWBC CEO. “This historic international event is made possible through their vital support, dedication to women’s sports, and commitment to our community.”
In addition to helping IWBC host the Women’s Baseball World Cup for the first-ever time in the Rockford region and Illinois, these partnerships underscore the importance of cultivating the growth of girls and women’s baseball and advance IWBC’s mission to preserve the sport’s history, inspire future generations, and expand opportunities for women and girls around the world.
General admission tickets include all-week passes ($95 for all 15 games), one-day passes ($25 for three games) and single-game passes ($10 per game). Tickets are available online in advance HERE. As announced last week, the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage Rockford features themed promotional nights, highlighted by giveaways, merchandise collabs and special guests in partnership with GoRockford, Baseball for All, The Sports Bra, Bucciferro Family McDonald’s and the Rockford Rivets.
Visit www.IWBC.org/worldcup and follow the IWBC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates.
Games Schedule
- Game 1 – 11 a.m. Wed., July 22: Canada vs. Hong Kong, China
- Game 2 – 3 p.m. Wed., July 22: Australia vs. Mexico
- Game 3 – 7 p.m. Wed., July 22: USA vs. Korea; Global Spirit Night
- Game 4 – 11 a.m. Thu., July 23: Australia vs. Hong Kong, China
- Game 5 – 3 p.m. Thu., July 23: Korea vs. Canada
- Game 6 – 7 p.m. Thu., July 23: Mexico vs. USA; Baseball for All Night
- Game 7 – 11 a.m. Fri., July 24: Hong Kong, China vs. Korea
- Game 8 – 3 p.m. Fri., July 24: Mexico vs. Canada
- Game 9 – 7 p.m. Fri., July 24: Australia vs. USA; The Sports Bra Night
- Game 10 – 11 a.m. Sat., July 25: Hong Kong, China vs. Mexico
- Game 11 – 3 p.m. Sat., July 25: Korea vs. Australia
- Game 12 – 7 p.m. Sat., July 25: USA vs. Canada; Mascot & Superhero Night
- Game 13 – 11 a.m. Sun., July 26: Korea vs. Mexico
- Game 14 – 3 p.m. Sun., July 26: Canada vs. Australia
- Game 15 – 7 p.m. Sun., July 26: Hong Kong, China vs. USA; Rockford Region Night
Ticket Information
- All-Week Tickets: $95 plus fees. Attendees have access to all 15 scheduled games during event week (three games per day from July 22-26, 2026); general admission seating.
- One-Day Tickets: $25 plus fees. Attendees have access to all three games (11 a.m. / 3 p.m. / 7 p.m.) on a selected day; general admission seating.
- Single-Game Tickets: $10 plus fees; general admission seating.
- Kids 6 and Under: Kids ages six and under will be granted free admission. All kids must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian who has purchased tickets.
- Notes: In the event of inclement weather, games may be played July 27, 2026. Ticket purchases are assumed final and refunds are subject to review. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup – IWBC / Rockford Stage Partners
- U.S. Presenting Sponsor: GoRockford
- Premier: Winnebago County, Bucciferro Family McDonald’s (Official Quick Service Restaurant), Mercyhealth (U.S. Exclusive Sports Medicine Provider), Chicago Cubs, Enjoy Illinois
- Champion: City of Loves Park, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, The Sports Bra
- Home Run: Foresight Financial, Raymond James, Rockford IceHogs, TAWANI Foundation, USA Baseball, Rosemary Collins & Mr. Paul E. Gaziano
- Slugger: Level Ump, Xfinity, Jim & Pam Keeling, Quint & Rishy Studer
- Pinch Hitter: Society for American Baseball Research, Soroptimist International of the Americas & Soroptimist International Midwest Region, Kim Swinton & Linda Martin
- In-Kind: Lino’s, Rockford Park District, Rockford Rivets, Rockford University, WIFR / WSLN, Windstar Lines
About IWBC: At the International Women’s Baseball Center, education is the cornerstone of our mission to protect, preserve, and promote all aspects of women’s baseball, both on and off the field. We strive to inspire the next generation of players by helping them realize their dreams of not only participating in the sport, but also of passing on all they learn and achieve for generations to come. www.IWBC.org.
Contact: Dr. Kat Williams, CEO, International Women’s Baseball Center, [email protected], 304.617.4474; Nick Povalitis, founder, Plus Seven Company, [email protected], 815.708.1644.