World Baseball Classic: Towards an era change?
The overwhelming success of the 2026 World Baseball Classic has sparked a debate about the future of the tournament. The event, which broke attendance and viewership records, could undergo significant changes, including the possibility of being held mid-season.
The Major League Baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred, confirmed that the tournament will return in 2029 or 2030 and revealed that seriously considering modifying its traditional schedule, currently held during spring training.
“If at some point we move towards a mid-season tournament, this would be the ideal scenario,”
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Manfred highlighted that this option would allow for greater participation from the stars, as teams often impose restrictions during spring training.
The 2026 edition marked a milestone for the tournament. A total of 1,619,839 fans attended the 47 matches played, representing a 24% increase over the previous record of 2023.
On television, the numbers also skyrocketed. The semi-final match between the United States and the Dominican Republic reached 7.37 million viewers, far exceeding previous records.
“This tournament has reached another level. It’s nothing like it was in 2006”
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Increased star participation
One of the main goals of a possible calendar change is to ensure the presence of more elite players. Currently, franchises can limit the participation of their players or impose restrictions, such as pitch counts.
Figures like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Paul Skenes led the United States team in this edition, but other key pitchers had limited participation.
The American leader Mark DeRosa considered that a tournament in the middle of the season would eliminate many of these restrictions. “I don’t think there would be refusals if it were played at that time,” he assured.
Global Baseball Expansion
Since its creation in 2006, the World Baseball Classic has established itself as the premier international baseball event. Countries like Japan, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela have fueled its growth, while new nations continue to gain prominence.
Furthermore, the tournament has become a key platform for the commercial development of the sport, strengthening agreements with sponsors and television networks globally.
Olympic Games Factor
The possible participation of Major League players in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will also influence the decision on the date of the next World Baseball Classic.
Baseball authorities are evaluating how to harmonize both events within the international calendar, which could define whether the tournament is held in 2029 or 2030.
