2026 World Baseball Classic games to be played in Houston

HOUSTON — In 2026, for the first time, Minute Maid Park will host World Baseball Classic games.

It will be a busy year for the Bayou City as it will also host World Cup matches.

Specifically, the WBC quarterfinal games will be played at the home of the Astros.

In 2023, in the last WBC, Japan defeated the United States in the championship match in Miami. The United States won the tournament in 2017. In 2013, the Dominican Republic won. Japan also won the title in 2009 as well as the first WBC in 2006.

Minute Maid Park will join Chase Field (Diamondbacks), Petco Park (Padres), Angel Stadium (Angels), Rogers Center (Blue Jays), Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Oracle Park (Giants) and LoanDepot Park (Marlins) as the only stadiums of Major League Baseball will host WBC games.

“We are thrilled and honored to host World Baseball Classic games for the first time,” said Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane. “Houston is a global city with the best fans in baseball, and we are proud to welcome fans from around the world to attend international competitions at Minute Maid Park. Thank you to MLB, MLBPA and the City of Houston for their support – we look forward to an exciting tournament in 2026.”

In 2023, the number of teams expanded to 20 for the first time in the tournament’s history. The 16 teams that finished in the top four of their respective pools in the first round of the 2023 Classic are invited to play in 2026 and will be joined by four teams that advanced in the 2025 playoffs.

Complete ticketing information for the 2026 tournament will be announced at a later date, but fans can register now at worldbaseballclassic.com to receive the most up-to-date information, including how to receive exclusive priority access before on-sale tickets.

The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as the sport’s official national team world championship.