The WBSC Premier12 2024, presented by RAXUS, returns after a five-year hiatus, it was announced at a press conference in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

At the event, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari thanked Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and its commercial partners, including RAXUS, KONAMI, Nippon Express and KOWA. Fraccari emphasised the importance of this collaboration for the return of the tournament, which will use SSK's WBSC540 ball.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to Nippon Professional Baseball and Commissioner Sakakibara for their exceptional cooperation and support," said Fraccari. "This was also the case in Taiwan and Mexico, which will also host Premier12 games in November.

Fraccari highlighted the success of previous editions of the Premier12, last year's World Baseball Classic and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. With the inclusion of baseball in Los Angeles 2028, international baseball is at an all-time high. "We are thrilled to once again showcase the world's best baseball talent on the international stage," said the WBSC President.

The HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 will bring the rise of eSport to baseball with the game WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS. The competition, featuring the world's best eBaseball™ players, will take place in North Carolina (USA) and New Taipei City (TPE). As with the Premier12, only the top four players will advance to Tokyo for the Super Round and Finals.

NPB Commissioner Sadayuki Sakakibara said that the WBSC Premier12 "plays a very important role in the promotion and development of baseball internationally". With back-to-back championships on the line, the competition promises to be fierce, with teams battling to unseat defending champions Samurai Japan.

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge and the need for new talent to keep Japan at the forefront of world baseball. "Although there are still about two months to go, the excitement is already building. We will do our best to win consecutive championships.

"For Japan's team to remain at the top of the world for years to come, it's important for new young players to emerge. If these players can gain valuable experience and deliver strong results, I believe Japan can maintain its strength for a long time," said Ibata.

"We need to carefully evaluate players who are delivering results, even if they lack international experience, to see if they can perform at a high level. I hope we can build a fresh, new Team Japan," he concluded.

With advance ticket sales starting on 2 September, baseball fans will have the opportunity to be part of a tournament that promises unforgettable moments and unparalleled excitement at the Tokyo Dome.

Premier12 2024 Bracket

The top 12 baseball programmes, as determined by the WBSC/Konami Men's Baseball World Ranking at the end of 2023, will participate in the WBSC's flagship event and compete in two groups.

Mexico, ranked No. 2 in the world, will host Group A in Guadalajara and Tepic, where they will face No. 3 USA, No. 6 Venezuela, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 10 Panama and No. 12 Puerto Rico.

Group A begins with three matches on Saturday 9 November, 10 November and 14 November. Two matches will be played on 11, 12 and 13 November.

World No.1 Japan and No.5 Chinese Taipei will host Group B at three different venues: Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Tianmu Stadium and Taipei Dome in Taipei. They will be joined by fourth-ranked Korea, eighth-ranked Cuba, ninth-ranked Dominican Republic and 11th-ranked Australia.

Japan will host Australia in the opening match at the Vantelin Dome Nagoya on Wednesday 13 November at 19:00 local time, 18:00 in Taiwan. Two matches will be played at 18:30 (Taiwan time): Dominican Republic v Cuba (Tianmu Stadium) and Korea Republic v Chinese Taipei (Taipei Dome).

There will be two matches a day on 14, 15 and 17 November, and three matches a day on 16 and 18 November.

The full round-robin schedule of the Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS consists of 30 games - 15 games per group. After round robin play, the top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Round. The first and second placed teams from the Super Round will compete in the Premier12 Championship match, while the third and fourth placed teams will compete for the bronze medal.

The Tokyo Dome in Japan will host the Super Round (21-23 November) and the medal matches on 24 November.

If they qualify, Samurai Japan will play the match at 19:00 (local time).

ePremier12

The HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 is now the largest eSport competition for WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS, featuring the best eBaseball™ players from around the world.

After months of global qualifying rounds in Japan, Chinese Taipei, USA, Mexico and Europe, the top 12 players will compete in the opening round in North Carolina (USA) and New Taipei City (TPE) in October and November.

As with the Premier12, only the top four players will advance to Tokyo for the Super Round and Final.

The ePremier12 Finals will take place at the world famous Tokyo Dome, where the 2024 eBaseball World Champion will be crowned.