World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule, TV Channels & Times

World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule, TV Channels & Times

Larry Parkson Published:

Baseball’s most global tournament returns in March with a tighter calendar, deeper rosters and a broadcast footprint spanning cable, streaming and satellite radio. The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins March 4 and culminates March 17 in Miami, where the championship game will crown the sixth titleholder in tournament history.

After Japan’s dramatic 2023 victory over the United States, anticipation has intensified around whether the established powers will extend their dominance or if a challenger such as Venezuela or Mexico can break through.

Below is the complete 2026 World Baseball Classic schedule, broadcast information and pool breakdown.

Full World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule

The tournament opens Wednesday, March 4, with pool play running through March 11. Quarterfinals begin March 13, followed by semifinals March 15–16 and the championship on March 17.

Opening Round Highlights (ET)

Wednesday, March 4

  • Australia vs. Chinese Taipei — 10 p.m. (FS1, Fubo)

Friday, March 6

  • Chinese Taipei vs. Japan — 5 a.m. (FS1, Fubo)
  • Venezuela vs. Netherlands — 12 p.m. (Tubi)
  • Brazil vs. USA — 8 p.m. (Fox, Fubo)

Saturday, March 7

  • Japan vs. Korea — 5 a.m. (FS1, Fubo)
  • USA vs. Great Britain — 8 p.m. (Fox, Fubo)

Sunday, March 8

  • Dominican Republic vs. Netherlands — 12 p.m. (Fox, Fubo)
  • Mexico vs. Brazil — 8 p.m. (FS1)

Monday, March 9

  • USA vs. Mexico — 8 p.m. (Fox, Fubo)

Tuesday, March 10

  • USA vs. Italy — 9 p.m. (FS1, Fubo)

Knockout Stage

Quarterfinals

  • March 13: Two games (FS2, Fox)
  • March 14: Two games (FS1, Fox)
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Semifinals

  • March 15 — 8 p.m. (FS1)
  • March 16 — 8 p.m. (FS1)

Championship

  • March 17 — 8 p.m. (Fox)

All semifinal and championship games will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Where to Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Television coverage will air across the Fox family of networks:

  • Fox
  • FS1
  • FS2

Live streaming options include Fubo, Tubi, the Fox App and Fox One. SiriusXM will provide full radio coverage for all games.

Fubo is offering trial access for new subscribers, allowing viewers to stream World Baseball Classic games live without cable.

Tournament Structure and Pool Locations

Twenty teams are divided into four pools of five.

Pool A – San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • Puerto Rico
  • Cuba
  • Canada
  • Panama
  • Colombia

Pool B – Houston, Texas

  • USA
  • Mexico
  • Italy
  • Great Britain
  • Brazil

Pool C – Tokyo, Japan

  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Korea
  • Czechia
  • Chinese Taipei

Pool D – Miami, Florida

  • Venezuela
  • Dominican Republic
  • Netherlands
  • Israel
  • Nicaragua

The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals.

Competitive Landscape: Can Japan Repeat?

Japan enters as the most decorated nation in WBC history, with three championships. Led in 2023 by Shohei Ohtani, Japan has finished either first or third in every edition.

The United States, champion in 2017, will rely on a power-heavy roster featuring Aaron Judge and elite pitching depth. The Dominican Republic remains a perennial threat, with a lineup that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto and Julio Rodríguez.

Venezuela and Mexico both advanced deep into the 2023 tournament and return with strengthened bullpens. Korea, runner-up in 2009, continues to prioritize the WBC as a major international objective.

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The tournament’s compressed schedule rewards pitching versatility and bullpen management. Managers must navigate short rest cycles, defined pitch limits and high-leverage elimination games.

Historical Winners

  • 2006 — Japan (defeated Cuba)
  • 2009 — Japan (defeated South Korea)
  • 2013 — Dominican Republic (defeated Puerto Rico)
  • 2017 — United States (defeated Puerto Rico)
  • 2023 — Japan (defeated United States)

No nation has won consecutive titles since Japan’s 2006–2009 run.

What to Watch

  • Whether the USA can capitalize on home-field advantage in Houston and Miami
  • Japan’s bullpen depth amid heavy workload expectations
  • Dominican Republic’s lineup balance against elite pitching
  • Emerging markets such as Great Britain and Czechia expanding baseball’s global footprint

The 2026 World Baseball Classic arrives at a moment when MLB’s international reach continues to expand. Attendance records were set in 2023, and broadcast demand is expected to rise again, particularly across Asia and Latin America.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs March 4–17, with the final in Miami.
  • Fox, FS1 and FS2 will broadcast games, with streaming via Fubo, Tubi and Fox platforms.
  • Twenty teams compete across four pools before advancing to knockout rounds.
  • Japan seeks a fourth title; USA and Dominican Republic headline challengers.
  • The format emphasizes bullpen strategy and depth under strict pitch limits.

Source:Sporting News schedule data and official broadcast listings.