WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group C: OGE Energy at Devon Park to host the softball world in Oklahoma City
Devon Park, formerly known as the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, will host the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group C from 17 to 21 September. Located in the Adventure District in Oklahoma City since 1987, the stadium has been selected as the competition venue for the LA28 Olympic Games softball event.
Following five phases of renovations, the complex now amasses four fields – including the legendary OGE Energy Field at Devon Park, which recently received a $27.5 million facelift with an added upper deck that increased capacity by 4,000 seats, a three-story press box as well as upgraded ticket windows and complex entrances.
Together, the events at Devon Park attract more than 150,000 fans a year to the stadium, making it a year-round operation and destination for softball fans and athletes.
Sitting on more than 18,000 square feet of land, visitors can watch a game at the stadium and take a short walk over to the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum. With a variety of fan, athlete and umpire amenities, it’s no wonder why every softball participant and enthusiast mark Devon Park as an item on their bucket list.
The four-field park, which hosts prominent events such as the NCAA Women’s College World Series and Oklahoma City Spark games, will stage again a softball World Cup after nine years. Devon Park hosted the Junior Women's Softball World Championship in 2015.
The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup returns to the US after 28 years. The last time the premiere men's softball competition was played in the country was in Midland in 1996, with New Zealand winning the first of three consecutive World Titles.
Furthermore, Oklahoma City will receive the tournament for the second time in history, after hosting the second edition of the event in 1968. Overall, this will be the fifth time USA host the biggest men's softball tournament in the world.
Oklahoma City will host softball during the 2028 Olympic Games. WBSC President Fraccari believes that the combination of passionate local supporters, elite athletes and a state-of-the-art stadium will transform Oklahoma City into a vibrant hub of Olympic excitement.
"Softball deserves to be played not only in the best stadium in the world, but also one that uniquely meets the high spectator demand for Olympic softball, and Oklahoma, above all other choices, offers this," President Fraccari said. "It is the unofficial world capital of softball and has a deep-rooted connection to the sport, ensuring the competition will be even more memorable and exciting."