Image: Netflix Press
By Jon Donnis
Netflix will become the new home of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan, marking the first time the platform will deliver live coverage of the tournament to Japanese audiences. The announcement comes through an exclusive media rights partnership with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), the organisation jointly operated by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
All 47 games of the 2026 tournament will be available to stream live and on-demand across Japan. Fans will be able to watch on any device, from smart TVs to mobile phones, as part of their existing Netflix subscription, offering unparalleled access to one of baseball's most prestigious international competitions.
The tournament will feature elite teams from around the globe, with Team Japan aiming to defend its 2023 championship title. The 2026 edition will take place across four locations: Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida, beginning on 5 and 6 March 2026.
Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, said the partnership reflects the growing popularity of the tournament and WBCI's commitment to reaching fans through innovative digital platforms. "By joining forces with a leader in entertainment, we are not only honouring the tradition of baseball, but also embracing the future," he said.
Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content at Netflix Japan, added: "We are committed to ensuring all fans, whether lifelong supporters or new to the game, can experience the tournament in a way that fits their lives today. We are excited to deliver a new kind of viewing experience that brings fans even closer to the action, the players, and the heart of the tournament, wherever they are."
The World Baseball Classic has previously seen Netflix collaborate with Major League Baseball on globally-distributed documentaries, including The Turnaround (2024), The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024) and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (2025).
Further details, including programming schedules and exclusive content, will be announced in the coming months. Fans in Japan will now have a front-row seat to world-class competition, seeing top international players compete for national pride in the sport's official National Team World Championship, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
No comments:
Post a Comment