Houston, Miami among sites for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama (89) and team Japan celebrate after defeating the USA in the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be the host sites for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday.
The 20-team competition will run from March 5-17, 2026, with 2023 winner Japan as the defending champion.
The 16 teams that finished in the top four of their respective pools in 2023 will be invited, along with four teams advancing from qualifiers in 2025.
First-round games in Pool A will take place in San Juan, with host Puerto Rico joined by Canada, Cuba, Panama and a qualifier.
Pool B will be held in Houston, featuring teams from the United States, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico and a qualifier.
Pool C will be in Tokyo, where three-time champion Japan will be joined by Australia, Czechia, South Korea and a qualifier.
Pool D will take place in Miami with teams from the Dominican Republic, Israel, the Netherlands, Venezuela and a qualifier.
Quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami. The semifinals and final will be played in Miami.
--Field Level Media
Friday MLB Best Bets: Why the Giants and Dodgers Have Value
Should the Celtics Blow It Up? Analyzing Every Major Option
- NBA Best Bets for Wednesday: Player Props, Parlays and Playoff Predictions
- MLB Betting Picks Today: Wednesday May 6th Predictions
- NBA Best Bets Today: Conference Semifinals Game 1 Predictions
- MLB Betting Picks Today: Tuesday May 5th Pitcher Prop Bets
- NBA Playoff Game 1 Bet Picks: 76ers vs Knicks and Timberwolves vs Spurs Bets
- Best NBA Bets Today: Game 7 Picks for Cavs vs Raptors, Magic vs Pistons
- Why Cavaliers Should Cover at Home in Game 7 Against Raptors
