Houston to host World Baseball Classic games for first time in 2026
The same year H-Town is hosting World Cup games, the World Baseball Classic will be coming to Minute Maid Park.
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 since it will also be hosting World Cup games.
Specifically, WBC quarterfinal games will be played at the home of the Astros.
In 2023, the last WBC, Japan beat the United States in the championship game in Miami. The United States won the tournament in 2017. In 2013, the Dominican Republic won. Japan also claimed 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 Centre (Blue Jays), Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Oracle Park (Giants) and loanDepot Park (Marlins) as the only Major League Baseball stadiums to host WBC games.
"We are excited and honored to be hosting World Baseball Classic matchups for the first time," Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane said. "Houston is a global city with the best baseball fans, and we are proud to welcome fans from across the globe to watch international competition at Minute Maid Park. Thank you to MLB, the MLBPA, and the City of Houston for their support – we are looking forward to an exciting tournament in 2026."
More information from the WBC
In 2023, the field of teams expanded to 20 for the first time in the tournament’s history. The 16 teams that finished within the top four of their respective first-round pools in the 2023 Classic are invited to play in 2026 and will be joined by four teams that will have advanced from the 2025 Qualifiers.
Full 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 tickets go on sale.
The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as the sport’s official National Team World Championship.