The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) celebrated a monumental year in eSport in 2024, establishing new benchmarks in competitive eBaseball with its innovative WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS. With the debut of the inaugural HUGAN WBSC ePremier12™ and the continuous global expansion of eBaseball™, this year cemented WBSC’s status as a pioneer in the digital baseball landscape.
The WBSC eBaseball™ Series 2024 saw 23 qualifying events worldwide, culminating in two Global Qualifiers and five regional tournaments across USA, Europe, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Mexico. These events showcased fierce competition and highlighted the diverse talent emerging in the eBaseball™ ecosystem.
The USA Qualifier and Chinese Taipei Qualifier stood out for their intensity, while Europe and Mexico brought fresh talent and passionate game play to the forefront.
At the heart of WBSC’s eSport this year was the HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 - a revolutionary tournament modelled on the WBSC’s flagship WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS - which was the culmination of the second edition of the WBSC eBaseball™ Series.
The HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 showcased the global potential of digital baseball, bringing together players from 23 qualifying events held across multiple regions, along with two intense Global Qualifiers.
A total of 12 elite eBaseball™ players advanced to the ePremier12 Opening Round, hosted across iconic venues in USA and Chinese Taipei. From there, four outstanding players secured their spots in the Super Round held in Tokyo: SHORA and NEGRAY from Japan, Ben Zen from Mexico and Dashu from Chinese Taipei.
The finals of the ePremier12 unfolded at the legendary Tokyo Dome, a historic moment blending the prestige of traditional baseball with the dynamism of eSport. Fans witnessed unparalleled skill and sportsmanship as Japan’s SHORA clinched the championship, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Dashu in a gripping final. This victory marked SHORA’s second major title of the year as he successfully defended his World Champion title earned at the WBSC eBaseball Series 2023 World Finals in March, solidifying his status as an eBaseball™ icon. Dashu’s runner-up performance and NEGRAY securing third place further underscored the talent pool that WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS continues to attract.
Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki graced the finals, illustrating the seamless fusion of eSport and traditional baseball, a hallmark of WBSC’s vision for the future.
In 2024, the WBSC strengthened its collaboration with Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (KONAMI) while securing HUGAN as the title sponsor of the ePremier12. These partnerships significantly elevated the tournament’s reach and prestige. The year’s achievements were further highlighted by record-breaking global participation, as millions tuned in to watch live broadcasts and engage with the competition’s immersive storytelling.
The WBSC eBaseball™ Series proved to be more than just a competition - it was a celebration of innovation, inclusivity, and global unity. Events like the WBSC eBaseball™ Series 2023 World Finals at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and the HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 Super Round’s electrifying showcase in Tokyo reflected the cultural impact of eSport. These moments brought fans closer to the action, blending digital innovation with the timeless spirit of baseball.
As 2024 draws to a close, WBSC eSport stands poised for even greater achievements in 2025. Building on the success of the HUGAN WBSC ePremier12 2024 and the continued global expansion of its digital initiatives, the WBSC remains committed to redefining eSport and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community for fans and players worldwide.
