Netflix is getting into the baseball business, inking a streaming deal for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The catch? The streaming giant is only picking up the rights for Japan.
The World Baseball Classic is owned by Major League Baseball (via World Baseball Classic Inc.), which operates it alongside the MLB Players Association, and sees national teams face off in a classic tournament format. The last WBC was held in 2023, with Team Japan and Team USA facing off in the final.
The WBC will be the first live event for Japan, expanding the company’s live sports and events business to a new market. Netflix will stream all 47 games live and on-demand, promising comprehensive coverage. Fox Sports holds the TV and streaming rights to the WBC in the U.S.
Netflix is already in business with MLB via a number of documentaries, and there have been rumblings that the streaming service may be in the mix for the Home Run Derby, which is set to leave ESPN after this season after the Disney-owned sports giant opted out of its deal with the league.
Japan may be the perfect market for a WBC deal.
Team Japan, led by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, won the last World Baseball Classic in 2023, with Ohtani striking out his then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to close out the tournament in one of the most dramatic endings to a game in recent memory. According to Sports Business Journal, six of the seven Team Japan games during the 2023 WBC delivered over 30 million viewers in Japan, with household share numbers comparable to the Super Bowl in the U.S. In the U.S., by comparison, the WBC championship game averaged just over 5 million viewers.
“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,” said Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner for business & media. “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.”
“We are honored to partner with WBCI as the new home for the World Baseball Classic in Japan,” added Kaata Sakamoto, vp of content for Netflix 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.”