World Baseball Classic Inc. (WBCI) has signed an exclusive media partnership with Netflix, giving the streaming giant the rights to broadcast the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan.
The deal marks Netflix’s first-ever live sports rights agreement in the country and signals its growing appetite to play a bigger role in the global sports media market.
Under the agreement, Netflix will be the exclusive live and on-demand home for all 47 games of the tournament in Japan. The WBC runs from March 5 to March 17, 2026, with games staged across Tokyo, Miami, Houston, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
WBCI, a joint venture between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), organizes the tournament, which has quickly evolved into one of baseball’s most celebrated international competitions. Japan remains a powerhouse market: the national team is a two-time champion, and the 2023 WBC final attracted more than 55 million viewers domestically.
Commenting on the occasion, Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, said, “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 continuing to make this an exciting and unifying World Baseball Classic for Japanese fans.”
Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content, Netflix in Japan, added, “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.”
MLB Players, Inc. President Evan Kaplan continued, “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.”
For Netflix, the move is part of a broader push into live sports. It follows its high-profile broadcast from Christmas Day NFL games to boxing megafights like Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, plus weekly WWE Raw broadcasts and a recent exclusive Canadian broadcast of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031. By clinching the WBC rights in Japan, a market where baseball is deeply ingrained in the national culture, Netflix is positioning itself to become a serious player in the sports streaming business.
The World Baseball Classic has steadily built momentum since its launch in 2006, bringing together the game’s top professionals to represent their nations. With Netflix as the exclusive partner in Japan, the 2026 edition could redefine how international baseball reaches fans, blending one of the sport’s grandest stages with one of the world’s most powerful entertainment platforms.
