Bold opening: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is back, and it’s bigger than ever with top stars and rising talents set to clash across four cities. But here’s where it gets controversial: do national teams truly reflect the sport’s global depth, or do major-league names overshadow developing players? Let’s break it all down clearly.
What’s happening
- The World Baseball Classic returns for its sixth edition in two decades, kicking off March 4.
- SiriusXM will carry live radio broadcasts of every tournament game, featuring 20 international teams and an impressive lineup that includes all four reigning MVP and Cy Young Award winners, 78 MLB All-Stars, and seven MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects. The goal: crown the champion on March 17.
How to listen
- March 4–17: Stream every World Baseball Classic game on the SiriusXM app using a smart device. https://sxm.app.link/BlogWorldBaseballClassic
- If you prefer radio, check SiriusXM’s satellite channel assignments for available options: https://www.siriusxm.com/sports/mlb
Tournament format
- This year uses a round-robin format with four pools of five teams each.
- The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals, held in Houston and Miami.
- Semifinals and the championship will take place in Miami.
Schedule overview
- First Round: March 4–11
- Quarterfinals: March 13–14
- Semifinals: March 15–16
- Championship: March 17
Pools and host cities
- Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico): Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia
- Pool B (Houston, Texas): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
- Pool C (Tokyo, Japan): Japan, Australia, Korea, Czechia, Chinese Taipei
- Pool D (Miami, Florida): Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua
Other spring training content
- Starting February 20, MLB on SiriusXM will broadcast live radio coverage of every Spring Training game ahead of Opening Day on March 26. Learn more at SiriusXM’s Spring Training page.
- SiriusXM’s annual Spring Training Tour on MLB Network Radio™ offers previews from all 30 camps, helping fans gear up for the 2025 season.
MLB Network Radio
- The MLB Network Radio channel on SiriusXM provides expert hosts, insiders, and up-to-the-minute coverage—from pitchers and catchers reporting through the World Series and into the offseason.
Follow-up thought: With a roster that blends reigning award winners and rising prospects, this tournament promises high-level baseball and intriguing matchups. Do you think the Classic should emphasize national pride or MLB-level competition more? Share your view in the comments.
