Major League Baseball (MLB) and Netflix have partnered to exclusively stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan, marking Netflix’s first live sports broadcast in the market. All 47 games will be available live and on-demand to Netflix subscribers in Japan, no additional fees required.
The 2026 WBC, the sixth edition of the tournament, will feature 20 teams competing across venues in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami, starting March 5, 2026. Japan, the defending champion after their 2023 victory, is expected to draw massive viewership, fueled by stars like Shohei Ohtani.
MLB’s Noah Garden highlighted the deal’s role in engaging fans digitally, while Netflix’s Kaata Sakamoto emphasized connecting with Japan’s passionate baseball audience. The partnership builds on Netflix’s prior MLB documentaries and signals their deeper push into live sports.
This deal enhances the WBC’s global reach and sets the stage for potential future MLB-Netflix collaborations, bringing baseball to millions in Japan through a seamless streaming experience.
