The official venues for the 2026 World Baseball Classic were announced this week for the sixth installment of the tournament, scheduled to take place in March 2026.
The WBC will take place at loanDepot park, the home of the Miami Marlins in Florida, Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros in Texas, the Tokyo Dome in Japan and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
loanDepot park in Miami, which became the first venue in tournament history to host games in all three rounds of a World Baseball Classic in the same year in 2023, will once again host contests in each of the three rounds in 2026, culminating with the Championship Game.
“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,” Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman said.
“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.
The ballpark will become the ninth different Major League ballpark to host World Baseball Classic contests, joining Chase Field in Phoenix (2006, 2013, 2023); Petco Park in San Diego (2006, 2009, 2017); Angel Stadium in Anaheim (2006); Rogers Centre in Toronto (2009); Dolphin Stadium in Miami (2009); Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (2009, 2017); Oracle Park in San Francisco (2013); and loanDepot park in Miami (2013, 2017, 2023).
“We are excited and honored to be hosting 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, 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.”
World Baseball Classic pool
In 2023, the field of teams expanded to 20 for the first time in the tournament’s history. The 16 teams that finished within the top four of their respective first round pools in the 2023 Classic are invited to play in 2026 and will be joined by four teams that will have advanced from the 2025 Qualifiers.
More MLB players than ever are expected to participate after the 2023 tournament received constant praise, but it still creates a challenge for some players due to it being at the start of Spring Training.
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