1,200 athletes and fans to converge on Rockford for NAFA World Series

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford is set to host the 2025 North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) World Series from August 7 to August 10, bringing over 1,200 players, coaches, and spectators to the region.

The tournament will take place at Mercyhealth Sportscore One in Rockford, Illinois, featuring teams competing in various divisions based on skill and experience, including AA, A-Major, A, and 23U. Approximately 40 teams will travel from 30 states and at least six different countries, generating an estimated economic impact of $533,000.

“It’s an honor to welcome the NAFA World Series back to Rockford after 10 years,” said Lindsay Arellano, GoRockford Vice President of Sales and Service. “Hosting this prestigious event again speaks volumes about our region’s reputation as a premier sports destination.”

International teams will be traveling from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and Italy to participate in the tournament. Six of the best local Illinois teams are also set to compete, with players pitching at speeds up to 80 mph, equivalent to Major League Baseball.

This is the third time Rockford has hosted the NAFA World Series, with the last event held in 2015. The tournament is expected to bring in approximately 1,250 hotel room nights, showcasing the community’s hospitality and top-tier facilities.

In addition to the World Series, Rockford will host another NAFA event, the Men’s Masters World Series East, from September 5 to September 7, 2025, at the same venue. This event will feature players aged 35 to 80 and is projected to have an economic impact of $550,540.

The return of the NAFA World Series to Rockford underscores the city’s status as a premier sports destination, promising significant economic benefits and international exposure.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.