On 31 October 2026, Baseball5 will make its Youth Olympic Games debut in Dakar, Senegal, marking a major milestone for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and for Baseball5’s growing worldwide popularity.
The five-on-five version of Baseball/Softball will be part of the official sports programme at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event to be held in Africa. Its inclusion reflects the WBSC’s continued efforts to make Baseball/Softball more accessible, inclusive and relevant to youth around the world.
Baseball5 has grown rapidly through its simple, equipment-free format that turns streets, schools and open spaces into fields of play. It promotes teamwork, speed and creativity, requiring only a rubber ball and five players per side.
The mixed-gender discipline features three girls and two boys (or vice versa) on the field – a defining element since Baseball5’s international launch in 2017 and remains one of its strongest symbols of inclusivity, teamwork and equality in play.
Baseball5 World Cups
Baseball5 has already been a huge success on the world stage. The WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup, held last month in Mexico, highlighted how the discipline connects athletes of diverse backgrounds through a shared love for the game. Teams representing Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Kenya, Türkiye and Venezuela have been among those leading the charge, showing the growing reach and competitive level of Baseball5 worldwide.
The participation of the WBSC Refugee Team representing Syria was particular memorable and a perfect illustration of how Baseball5 can provide opportunities and hope.
The introduction of Baseball5 at the Youth Olympic Games also strengthens the WBSC’s vision of developing disciplines that bridge elite competition and grassroots participation. The fast, urban format invites young people to #PlayEverywhere, encouraging active lifestyles and teamwork while creating new pathways for athletes to progress in baseball and softball.
Africa has played an important role in Baseball5’s growth. In 2022, the WBSC held a week-long Baseball5 workshop in Dakar for National Olympic Committees across the continent, introducing athletes and coaches to its rules and training methods. That same city will now host Baseball5’s first Olympic competition, bringing the journey full circle from its early development to the global stage.
As the “One Year to Go” milestone arrives, Baseball5 continues to build momentum as one of the WBSC’s most dynamic disciplines. Its Youth Olympic Games debut in Dakar will showcase the universality of the sport of Baseball/Softball while inspiring young people to play, compete and connect through the game.
From its beginnings on community courts to its upcoming Olympic appearance in Africa, Baseball5 has become a symbol of youth, creativity and global unity – values that will shine brightly when “Play Ball” is called in Dakar next year.