MLB Play Ball Weekend 2026
Adelaide Giants and Baseball South Australia to host Australia’s only MLB Play Ball event
The Adelaide Giants and Baseball South Australia are teaming up to host Australia’s only official MLB Play Ball Weekend event, bringing Major League Baseball’s global youth participation initiative to South Australia this June.
The event will take place at Bennett field, West Beach and forms part of MLB’s worldwide PLAY BALL Weekend celebrations, which feature hundreds of events across six continents involving MLB clubs, Minor League teams, international baseball offices, and grassroots partners.
MLB’s PLAY BALL initiative was launched in 2015 as the league’s signature youth engagement program, designed to encourage children and families to participate in baseball and softball through fun, accessible, community-based activities. The initiative now reaches millions globally each year and has become a major part of baseball’s international growth strategy.
The Adelaide event is currently the only officially recognised PLAY BALL Weekend activation in the Australia region, placing South Australia alongside baseball communities from countries including Japan, India, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines in celebrating the global event.
The community-focused day will feature two major sessions:
1. 10:00am – 11:00am: MLB PLAY BALL Weekend Session
2. 11:00am – 1:00pm: Baseball SA Junior State Presentation
The Play Ball Session will feature fun, interactive baseball games. No experience is required.
The Junior State Presentation will recognise achievements from the 2025-26 South Australian junior baseball season, including
U16 and U18 club baseball awards and state team awards from the 2025 representative program.
The day is also expected to include a community BBQ and family activities.
PLAY BALL events worldwide are built around introducing young people to baseball and softball in a fun, social, and active environment. MLB describes the initiative as an opportunity to use baseball as an outlet for physical activity, friendship, and learning the fundamentals of the game
Globally, more than 200 PLAY BALL Weekend events are scheduled annually, with all 30 MLB clubs, all 120 Minor League Baseball clubs, and dozens of partner organisations participating. MLB reported that baseball and softball participation among youth has significantly increased since the launch of the initiative.
Further event details, registration information, and promotional content will be released in the coming weeks.