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Every three years, the World Baseball Classic is played similarly to the Olympics to decide the best country in baseball. 2026’s edition of the classic will feature games placed in Space City as Houston has been named a host site.
LoanDepot Park in Miami, which became the first venue to host games in all three rounds of a WBC in the same year will once again host contests in each of the three rounds including the Championship Game in 2026.
“Following a record-breaking World Baseball Classic in 2023, loanDepot park showcased that it is the home of international baseball, and we are proud to once again bring the incredible tournament back to South Florida, the go-to destination for jewel global events,” said Marlins Chairman and Principal Owner Bruce Sherman. “It is a tremendous honor to once again serve as host for all three rounds, including the prestigious final, and on behalf of our entire team and the greater Miami area I would like to express our gratitude to Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association for the recognition.”
Minute Maid Park will serve as a World Baseball Classic host for the first time in the event’s history.
“We are excited and honored to be hosting World Baseball Classic matchups for the first time,” said Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane. “Houston is a global city with the best baseball fans, and we are proud to welcome fans from across the globe to watch international competition at Minute Maid Park. Thank you to MLB, the MLBPA, and the City of Houston for their support – we are looking forward to an exciting tournament in 2026.”
The Tokyo Dome will again be home to first-round games for the World Baseball Classic. “It is a great pleasure for us to host the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo for the sixth consecutive time since the inaugural games in 2006,” said Takashi Yamada, Chief Officer, Culture and Sports Projects, Yomiuri Shimbun. “We would like to express our deepest respect to WBC Inc. for their efforts in organizing the 2026 tournament. The previous tournament in 2023, in which the Japan National Team became world champions, generated a great deal of excitement in Japan, and the increase in the number of children becoming interested in baseball was a great benefit to the baseball world. We will do our utmost to bring the excitement and inspiration of the World Baseball Classic to the world once again, and to ensure the success and development of the tournament.”
Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico returns as a World Baseball Classic host in 2026 for the first time since 2013. “We are deeply grateful and filled with pride for being selected once again as one of the venues for the 2026 World Baseball Classic,” said Anaymir “Tuti” Muñoz, Vice President of MB Sports. “Celebrating the 20th anniversary of this prestigious tournament in Puerto Rico, where MB Sports had the honor of producing one of the rounds in 2006, is a wonderful gift for Puerto Rico. We have been at the forefront of Major League Baseball on the island for over 23 years, establishing ourselves as the country’s leading sports producer. We promise an unprecedented event that will not only honor our rich baseball history but will also mark the beginning of an exciting future. Baseball fans in Puerto Rico and around the world should be prepared for an unforgettable experience.”
“As Mayor of San Juan, I am profoundly honored that our city has been chosen to host the World Baseball Classic for the fourth time,” said Hon. Miguel Romero, Mayor of San Juan. “This decision reflects the world’s recognition of San Juan as a premier venue for global sporting events. The return of the World Baseball Classic to Puerto Rico reaffirms our city’s capacity to host major international events and our commitment to bring the best baseball in the world to our shores. We are fully prepared to deliver a top-tier experience, showcasing not only our enduring love for baseball, but also the resilient, forward-looking spirit of San Juan and Puerto Rico.”
In 2023, the WBC expanded to 20 teams for the first time. 2026 will be the same, with the 16 teams finishing in the top four of their pool in 2023 qualifying as well as four new qualifiers.
Ticketing information for the 2026 tournament will be announced at a later date, but fans can register now at worldbaseballclassic.com to receive the most accurate information, including how to receive priority access.
The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as the sport’s official National Team World Championship.