Netflix has won the Japanese media rights of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, marking the first time it will stream a live event in Japan.
As part of an exclusive media rights partnership with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), Netflix will deliver live coverage of the World Baseball Classic to Japanese audiences, offering fans unparalleled access to baseball’s most prestigious international tournament.
WBCI is an organization that is owned by Major League Baseball and jointly operates the World Baseball Classic tournament with the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Through this agreement, Netflix will stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic live and on demand for viewers in Japan, offering comprehensive coverage of all the electrifying action, star athletes, and memorable moments that define the tournament.
With Netflix, fans across Japan will enjoy unprecedented accessibility, watching live or on demand from any device – including smart TVs, at any time, and from anywhere in the country, all part of their existing Netflix subscription.
The World Baseball Classic features elite teams and players from around the globe and stands as one of the most highly anticipated international sporting events. The 2026 edition promises to deliver world-class competition, with Team Japan aiming to defend its championship title.
Further details, including programming schedules and exclusive content, will be announced in the coming months.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be the sixth iteration of the global baseball tournament and will feature 20 teams competing in four first-round pools in Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas, USA; and Miami, Florida, USA, starting on March 5 and 6, 2026.
Team Japan is the defending champion of the tournament (2023), beating the U.S. in thrilling fashion when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout, his MLB teammate at the time, to win their third tournament.
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 continue making this an exciting and unifying World Baseball Classic for Japanese fans.”
Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content, Netflix in Japan, said, “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, MLB Players, said, “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.”
Netflix brings proven expertise in delivering world-class sports content, including major events in partnership with WWE and the NFL. Through these successful live streaming events, Netflix has established itself as a home for sports fans around the globe.
Today’s partnership announcement builds off Netflix and Major League Baseball’s recent collaborations of globally-distributed and critically-acclaimed documentaries, including the Emmy® Award-winning The Turnaround (2024), the Emmy Award-winning The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024) and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (2025).
