22 July 2026
Baseball Australia confirms 2025-26 national participation increase
Baseball Australia has recorded significant participation growth across the country, with numbers up 6.8% to just over 34,600 registered players.
Over 41,000 participants, including volunteers, are now registered within the sport marking an increase of 23% from the last financial year (2024-25).
The numbers come off the back of Baseball Australia’s newly launched National Participation Plan, “Play Ball, Play Well,” which was unveiled in June in alignment with the Australian Sports Commission’s national Play Well Strategy.
The growth has been driven by a collaborative effort across clubs, associations and state members, creating more opportunities for Australians of all ages to access and enjoy baseball.
Other areas featuring strong increases include junior participation, Little League T-Ball, volunteer engagement and school programs.
There are now nearly 13,000 players are aged 13 and under, with a sharp increase in Little League T-Ball participation.
A membership increase was recorded in six state associations, with Western Australia polling the biggest increase.
“It was great to see so many new people connect with our great sport this season. A credit to the baseball community right across the country for creating welcoming, enjoyable experiences that encourage people to give baseball a go, while ensuring those who already love the game continue to come back year after year,” says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.
“The growth we’ve seen is the result of a tremendous collective effort by volunteers, clubs, associations and members across Australia.”
Read the Participation Plan: ‘Play Well, Play Ball’
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Here are some numbers from the 2025-26 financial year period that stand out:
– Playing participation increased by 6.8 percent year-on-year, rising from to just over 34,500 in 2025-26;
– Junior baseball continues to drive much of that growth, with participation among players aged under 18 increasing by 7.2 percent;
– Nearly 13,000 players are now aged 15 or younger, highlighting the strength of baseball’s grassroots pathway and the growing number of children entering the sport through local clubs, T-Ball and community programs;
– Retention Rate at 69%, a benchmark marked higher than industry standard
– Growth was also recorded at the senior level, with participation among players aged 18 and over increasing by 6.4 percent.
– The rise in participation extends beyond those taking the field. Registered volunteer numbers increased dramatically from approximately 1,500 to more than 7,000, underlining the important role volunteers continue to play in supporting clubs, competitions and events across Australia;
– Participation increased in six states and territories, with New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all recording year-on-year growth;
– New South Wales remains the largest baseball community in the country with more than 16,000 participants, while Western Australia recorded the biggest increase and now boasts a membership base exceeding 5,000;
– Women’s participation also remains an important area of focus, with females representing 17.5 percent of Australia’s playing population. It reflects great work undertaken by an Australian Women’s Working Group, identifying key areas to address in our game. Last year, this number sat at 15%;
– School participation is approaching 45,000 students nationwide, representing an increase of nearly 25 percent since 2024 and providing a strong foundation for future participation growth.
The figures reflect continued momentum for the sport at all levels, from introductory school programs and junior competitions through to senior community baseball. It is not possible without the tremendous work done at the grassroots level by the clubs.
Baseball Australia was also a recipient of a Play Well Grant to support participation efforts.
With over 34,500 players, more than 7,000 volunteers and tens of thousands of students being introduced to baseball each year, the sport continues to build a strong platform for future growth across Australia.
