Following this year's tournament in Spain, won by the Dutch national team, a Women's Softball European Championship had not been scheduled until 2025.

This has now been changed, with a tournament planned in 2024 instead.

European Championships have historically been played every two years and there was also one contested in 2021, which Italy won.

WBSC Europe cited COVID-19 complications and the new four-year cycle for WBSC World Cups when the three-year gap between the the 2022 and 2025 editions was announced.

However, WBSC Europe said National Federations had subsequently requested the next edition move forward.

Countries can bid to host the event from this month, but its dates will depend on when the 2024 Women's Softball World Cup is scheduled.

Italy is due to host the final stage of that competition, which is also being contested in The Netherlands, Ireland and Italy in 2023.

The Netherlands, Britain and Italy qualified for it at this year's European Championship.

"Thanks to the success we had in Barcelona at 23rd Women's Softball European Championship, I would like to announce that we will be back in two years: the next European Championship for women's softball will take place in 2024," WBSC Europe softball vice-president Gabriel Waage said.