Rockford, Illinois, to Host 2026 Baseball For All Nationals

GoRockford, Baseball For All and the Rockford Park District have announced that the Rockford region will host the 11th annual Baseball For All Nationals from July 19–25, 2026, during the same week as the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage.

The pair of events running back–to–back will make Rockford the epicenter of women’s and girls’ baseball, bringing together the sport’s future and its elite international players in one community at the same time.

“As title sponsor, GoRockford is thrilled to welcome Baseball For All Nationals to Rockford,” said John Groh, president and chief executive officer, GoRockford. “Hosting this tournament during the same week as the Women’s Baseball World Cup is a perfect alignment of purpose. It highlights our commitment to gender equity in sports, supports the next generation of female players, and elevates Rockford’s national reputation in sports tourism.”

Baseball For All is a national nonprofit providing opportunities for girls to play, coach and lead in baseball. BFA Nationals is the largest girls’ baseball tournament in the country and is expected to welcome over 800 players and coaches from across the U.S., Canada, Australia and beyond.

Girls ages six to 18 will have the opportunity to play at the sports facilities in Rockford, as well as at the historic Beyer Stadium, where the Rockford Peaches of the original All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League played. The field is also the home base of the International Women’s Baseball Center.

While youth teams compete at venues across the community, the Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage will bring national teams from around the globe to Rivets Stadium from July 22–27, marking only the second time the event has been played in the United States.

“We’re thrilled to bring Baseball For All Nationals back to Rockford and celebrate three generations of baseball players: the girls playing at BFA Nationals, the players competing at the WBSC World Cup Qualifiers, and the women from the AAGPBL who paved the way for us all,” said Dr. Justine Siegal, founder of Baseball For All. “This unique opportunity allows our players to compete and be inspired by the best women in the world, reminding them that baseball is truly a game for everyone.”

At the same time, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association is holding its 2026 Reunion in Rockford from July 22–26, coinciding with Rockford’s hosting of the Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage.

“This will be a powerful week for baseball,” said Dr. Kat Williams, CEO, International Women’s Baseball Center. “From young girls picking up bats and gloves to the best women in the world taking the field, Rockford will shine as a city that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future of women in baseball.”