If you've already got Canada Day plans, you might want to make room for some softball.
July 1 is when the first games of the 2024 Canada Cup Women’s International Softball Championship are scheduled, including Team Canada, who begin the tournament with a busy opening day that includes tough tests against New Zealand (1 p.m. start) and Mexico (6 p.m.) at South Surrey's Softball City.
Featuring more than 1,500 elite athletes from across Canada and the world, the competition showcases some of the top female fastpitch talent at the national and club level.
Following their Canada Day double header, Team Canada will play a 6 p.m. game against the Philippines on Tuesday, July 2, followed by another 6 p.m. game vs. Israel on Wednesday, July 3. The Canadians play a final pool game against Hong Kong on Thursday, July 4 (6 p.m. start) in a clash of two international powerhouses.
Several other high-profile games of note include Greece trying to upset Australia on July 1 (6 p.m start) and an epic showdown between TC Colorado – who made it to last year's tournament final vs. Team Japan – and Chinese Taipei, under the lights at 8:30 p.m. July 2.
Playoffs will take place July 5, 6 and 7, with the gold-medal final set for Sunday July 7, at 6 p.m. at the park.
The 10-day event, which runs June 28 to July 7, includes four other divisions: Futures Select (U19), Futures Gold (U19), Showcase Select (17U) and Showcase Gold (17U).
For the full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit canadacup.com