Everything you need to know about Olympic Softball at Tokyo 2020
When do the Olympic Softball matches take place at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, and where? Which are the teams to watch for? Here is our guide to everything to know about Olympic Softball.
Baseball Softball
After an absence of 13 years, the sport of softball will make its Olympic Games return at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021.
Similar to baseball, it is sure to be one of the sports that will attract the attention from home fans in Japan.
But which are the teams to watch for? Where will games take place? Here is our guide to everything to know about Olympic Softball.
Top Olympic Softball teams at Tokyo 2020
Just six teams will compete in the softball competition in Tokyo, down from eight at the sport's last appearance on the Olympic programme at Beijing 2008.
The identities of all the teams are already known, with qualification having been completed in 2019. Hosts Japan are the defending champions from Beijing, while the United States will look to regain top spot. Australia are also perennial medal contenders.
Italy, Mexico, and Canada make up the remaining teams.
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Olympic Softball schedule at Tokyo 2020
Competition begins before the Opening Ceremony, with games on 21 and 22 July. Competition takes a break on the day of the Opening Ceremony and resumes on 24 July, concluding with the medal matches on 27 July.
Here is the complete schedule and all times are Japan Standard Time (UTC +9 hours).
Olympic Softball competition format at Tokyo 2020
The six teams will play in a single round-robin format, playing five games each. The top two teams move on to the gold medal game, with the third- and fourth-placed teams playing in the bronze medal game.
It is a women-only competition, the counterpart to the men-only baseball tournament.
Olympic Softball venues at Tokyo 2020
Games will be played in two zones – one in Yokohama, south of Tokyo on the Tokyo Bay, and the other in Fukushima Prefecture.
The Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium, which can hold 30,000 people, will host the opening rounds of the tournament on 21 and 22 July.
All remaining games will take place at the 34,000-capacity Yokohama Stadium, home to the Yokohama Baystars of Nippon Professional Baseball.