IWBC Announces WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage Impact Figures
15,710 in Total Attendance, Visitors from Five Continents Highlight Event Week’s Holistic Impact
ROCKFORD, Ill., July 30, 2026 – The International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) today announced initial impact figures from the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Rockford Presented by RAXUS, which IWBC hosted last week at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park. Alongside the WBSC and in partnership with U.S. presenting sponsor GoRockford, IWBC made sports history by successfully hosting the world’s most prestigious baseball championship in Illinois for the first time ever.
The WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Rockford drew 15,710 in total attendance across the event’s 15-game schedule and visitors from five continents. Moreover, the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Rockford led to Baseball for All Nationals 2026 (the world’s largest girls youth baseball tournament) and the 2026 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Reunion selecting Rockford as their home city last week, yielding a combined estimated economic impact of more than $3 million.
“Hosting the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage was an incredible opportunity for the International Women’s Baseball Center and Rockford region. We were proud to partner with the WBSC to welcome the world’s best women’s baseball players and fans to our community,” said Dr. Kat Williams, IWBC CEO. “The success of this event was made possible by the outstanding support of our event partners, volunteers, and the entire Rockford region, whose enthusiasm and hospitality helped create a truly unforgettable experience. Together, we showed how women’s baseball can bring communities together and build lasting momentum for the sport.”
The WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 delivered a week of interactive promotions, charitable initiatives and all-ages entertainment. Key impact metrics include:
- Official Attendance: Total attendance for the week was 15,710, highlighted by 3,405 for the July 23 USA vs. Mexico game. Evening attendees led the way with an average of 1,797 per 7 p.m. game.
- Finals 2027 Qualifying Teams: USA went undefeated (5-0) for the week to punch its ticket to the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals 2027, which are slated for July 19-25, 2027, at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park. In addition, Australia (4-1) and Canada (3-2) qualified for the Finals, while three more teams will qualify out of next month’s WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Tainan.
- Maybelle Meals, Glasses + More: As part of a partnership with Bucciferro Family McDonald’s (BFM), 31 area BFM locations sold nearly 5,000 promotional Maybelle Blair Meals, and 1,000 Maybelle Blair-inspired red glasses were given to fans at the July 25 night game. BFM also distributed 12,000 refresher beverage samples throughout the week and donated 10 percent of Maybelle Meal proceeds back to the nonprofit International Women’s Baseball Center after the event.
- Volunteer Support: IWBC was generously supported by a dedicated community of 312 volunteers who combined to work 2,812 shifts.
- Free Kids Tickets: Thanks to IWBC’s partnership with Enjoy Illinois, more than 200 Rockford-area youth experienced the excitement of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 free of charge. Kids from the Blackhawk Boys & Girls Club, African-American Resource Center at Booker, Northwest Community Center, Community Life Center, and Her Sister Project enjoyed world-class baseball and a ballpark meal.
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- Credentialed Media: WBSC and IWBC welcomed 65 media members, ranging from IWBC’s linear TV partner WIFR/WSLN to national and international outlets like The New York Times.
- Livestream Global Markets: WBSC carried the event via livestream to 100 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. WBSC’s global streaming partners for the Group Rockford Stage included the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), Bally Sports Live, DAZN, Disney+ and ESPN+.
- Linear TV National Markets: Through IWBC’s media partnership with WIFR, the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Rockford was televised in 27 Gray Media markets around the U.S.
- Standings + Statistical Minutiae: As the governing organization for baseball globally, WBSC tracked team and individual statistical leaders for the Group Rockford Stage Get the latest information at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Rockford website.
For more information about the International Women’s Baseball Center, visit www.IWBC.org/worldcup, and follow IWBC on social at Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
WBSC WOMEN’S BASEBALL WORLD CUP GROUP ROCKFORD – 2026 U.S. PARTNERS & SPONSORS
U.S. Presenting Sponsor: GoRockford
Premier Sponsors: Winnebago County, Bucciferro Family McDonald’s (Official Quick Service Restaurant), Mercyhealth (Exclusive U.S. Sports Medicine Provider), Chicago Cubs, Enjoy Illinois
Champion Sponsors: City of Loves Park, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, The Sports Bra
Home Run Sponsors: Foresight Bank, Raymond James, Rockford IceHogs, TAWANI Foundation, USA Baseball, Rosemary Collins & Mr. Paul E. Gaziano
Slugger Sponsors: Level Ump, Xfinity, Jim & Pam Keeling, Quint & Rishy Studer
Pinch Hitter Sponsors: Society for American Baseball Research, Soroptimist International of the Americas & Soroptimist International Midwest Region, Kim Swinton & Linda Martin
In-Kind Partners: Lino’s, Rockford Park District, Rockford Rivets, Rockford University, WIFR / WSLN, Windstar Lines, Rockford Rides, Texas Roadhouse, Chik-fil-A, Mission BBQ, Famous Dave’s
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, IWBC Media + Partnerships, [email protected], 815.708.1644.
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ROCKFORD, Ill. — The organizer of a major women’s baseball tournament is gathering national support for the event.
On Thursday, the International Women’s Baseball Center announced partnerships as it prepares to host the World Baseball Softball Confederation Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage this summer.
IWBC is teaming up with The Sports Bra as a national partner and CJ Silas as the PA announcer for the games.
The Sports Bra was described as the world’s first sports bar dedicated only to women’s sports. Its main location opened in Portland, Oregon, in 2022. The bar plans to add a second location in St. Louis in 2026.
IWBC said The Sports Bra will highlight World Cup Group Stage Week, from July 22 through 26, through all-ages programs celebrating diversity and leadership, special drink and merchandise collaborations, and The Sports Bra night on July 24.
The Sports Bra’s CEO and founder, Jenny Nguyen, said they couldn’t think of a better event in women’s baseball to promote.
“From an organization rooted in legacy to a brand that reimagines the women’s sports fan experience, we could not think of a more fitting partnership to truly highlight the next great movement in women’s baseball,” said Nguyen.
CJ Silas is also joining the event as its PA announcer. Silas hosts and executive produces The CJ Silas Show on ESPN radio.
Silas said she has been involved in baseball her whole life and jumped at the chance to announce for this summer’s event.
“I have been involved in baseball my entire life, played it as long as allowed,” said Silas. “I always dreamed of being a USA baseball announcer or announcing for a women’s professional baseball league. I am extremely grateful that I get this chance in Rockford, Illinois, to announce the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage – I’m so glad I never gave up!”
IWBC CEO Dr. Kat Williams said The Sports Bra and Silas will improve the World Cup Group Stage experience for both fans and players.
“The IWBC is honored to partner with The Sports Bra for the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage this summer. As the nation’s first women’s sports bar, The Sports Bra continues to be the gold standard and it will certainly bring the best of women’s baseball to Rockford,” said Dr. Williams.
“CJ Silas has long been a voice in baseball and now she is the voice of women’s baseball. As we make Rockford the global epicenter of women’s baseball this summer, CJ will be there to bring that excitement to the world and we could not be more pleased to have her on our team.”
The 10th edition of the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage will take place at Rivets Stadium in Loves Park from July 22 through July 26.
The top three finishers from the Group Stage advance to the Final Stage in 2027. The host city for the Final Stage is to be announced.
It was first announced the local area would be hosting the world event in June 2025.
While Rivets Stadium will host the games, historic Beyer Stadium in Rockford will serve as the teams’ practice field during the tournament. It’s being renovated right now with help from the owners of the New York Mets.
To learn more and stay up to date with IWBC and the Women’s Baseball World Cup, visit IWBC’s website.