The World Baseball Classic will be returning in March 2026. On Thursday, MLB announced where the games will take place. The first round pools will be split across the four locations while the semifinals will be split between two different cities. Sixteen teams have qualified for the tournament with the top four teams from each of the pools from the 2023 edition. The final four teams will be determined at the 2025 Qualifiers.
Here’s more details about the host locations below
when Japan will try to defend their titles as World Baseball Classic champions against the rest of the world.
Hosts Named for 2026 World Baseball Classic
The Tokyo Dome in Japan and loanDepot park in Miami will return from the 2023 tournament as host cities. Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico will host for the first time since 2013. Minute Maid Park in Houston will host for the first time ever.
“We are excited and honored to be hosting the World Baseball Classic matchups for the first time,” Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane said. “Houston is a global city with the best baseball fans. We are proud to welcome fans across the globe to watch international competition at Minute Maid Park.
Each of the four venues will play host to one of four pools in the first round. Minute Maid Park and loanDepot park will host the quarterfinals. The final stages of the tournament will be in Miami.
Host Locations
Houston, Texas
Stadium: Minute Maid Park
Capacity: 41,000
Houston is set for multiple international competitions. Following the 2026 World Baseball Classic, NRG Stadium will be a host site for that summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Miami, Flordia
Stadium: loanDepot park
Capacity: 37,442
The last time Miami held the WBC was one of the next moments in baseball history. Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to give Japan its first title since 2009. Then, there was Japan’s comeback against Mexico in the 2023 semifinals. Nelson Cruz hit a three-run home run to give the Dominican Republic a win over the United States in 2017.
San Juan Puerto Rico
Stadium: Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Capacity: 18,000
Hiram Bithorn Stadium is back hosting the pool round for the first time since 2013. It was one a part-time home to the Montreal Expos before relocating to Washington. The site has seen plenty of WBC action, including Peurto Rico’s 12-2 mercy rule victory against Cuba in 2006. Shairon Martis threw the only no-hitter in WBC history against Panama.
Tokyo, Japan
Stadium: Tokyo Dome
Capacity: 46,000
Tokyo Dome is the only location to host every World Baseball Classic. In Japan’s run to a third title, Tokyo Dome broke records with the most fans in total attendance with 361,976. The first-ever World Baseball Classic games were played at Tokyo Dome, with South Korea defeating Chinese Tapei 2-0. Japan also beat China 18-2 in the 2006 tournament.
Main Photo: © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
