Netflix and World Baseball Classic Inc. Have Teamed Up as Exclusive Media Partners for the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan

Netflix has officially become the exclusive home for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan through a landmark media rights partnership with World Baseball Classic Inc. (WBCI), the organization co-owned by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association. This exciting collaboration marks the first time Netflix will offer live coverage of this prestigious international baseball tournament to fans across Japan, delivering unparalleled accessibility and an immersive viewing experience.

With a proven track record in streaming top-tier sports events worldwide—including partnerships with WWE and the NFL—Netflix is poised to revolutionize how Japanese baseball fans experience the WBC. The 2026 tournament will be Netflix's debut live streaming event in Japan, streaming all 47 games live and on demand across multiple devices. This means fans can enjoy every pitch, play, and highlight wherever they are, anytime, through their existing Netflix subscription.

Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, emphasized the growing appeal of the tournament and the innovative nature of this partnership: "This partnership demonstrates the growing popularity of the tournament, increasing interest in the event from global media companies and WBCI’s effort to engage with fans through innovative digital platforms. Netflix has already demonstrated remarkable success in live sports streaming globally. By joining forces with a leader in entertainment, we are not only honoring the tradition of baseball, but also embracing the future — ensuring that fans of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the tournament in ways that fit their lives today. Together with Netflix, we are committed to continue making this an exciting and unifying World Baseball Classic for Japanese fans."

Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content at Netflix Japan, reflected on the opportunity to connect Japanese viewers with the tournament: "We are honored to partner with WBCI as the new home for the World Baseball Classic in Japan. 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. With Netflix already in millions of Japanese homes, 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. We look forward to working with leading Japanese partners to make the World Baseball Classic a true nationwide celebration, and to deliver innovative live entertainment for our members."

Evan Kaplan, President of MLB Players, Inc., highlighted the players' dedication to growing baseball globally: "Players have a profound investment in expanding the game globally, as demonstrated by their participation in the World Baseball Classic and other international competitions. Japanese fans have long shown remarkable passion for international baseball, and the World Baseball Classic represents one of the sport’s most unique stages, where the world’s top players compete for national pride. The media partnership being announced today will provide fans in Japan access to one of the most exciting international competitions and allow them to experience the enthusiasm and commitment that Players bring to the game on the global stage."

The 2026 World Baseball Classic, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), will be the sixth iteration of this global championship featuring 20 teams competing in four first-round pools held in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami starting March 5–6, 2026. Team Japan enters the tournament as defending champions, having clinched the title in a dramatic 2023 final where Shohei Ohtani sealed victory by striking out Mike Trout, his MLB teammate at the time.

This exclusive broadcasting partnership builds upon the recent successes between Major League Baseball and Netflix, which have produced globally acclaimed baseball documentaries such as the Emmy Award-winning The Turnaround (2024), The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024), and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (2025).

With this innovative partnership, Netflix is set to deliver the most comprehensive and accessible coverage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic to Japanese baseball fans, blending the rich traditions of the sport with cutting-edge digital streaming technology.

Further announcements—including programming schedules and exclusive content—will be revealed as the tournament approaches, promising even more excitement for fans across Japan.