Netflix secures Japan-only rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

Netflix has secured exclusive Japanese streaming rights to the 2026 World Baseball Classic, agreeing to carry all 47 games live and on demand for viewers in Japan, the companies said. The tournament, operated by World Baseball Classic Inc., which is jointly run by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, runs March 5 to 17, 2026, with first‑round pools in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami and the semifinals and final slated for Miami.

Netflix executives and MLB officials framed the deal as a milestone for both the company and the tournament. Kaata Sakamoto, vice president of content for Netflix in Japan, said the partnership will bring “a new kind of viewing experience that brings fans even closer to the action,” and pledged collaboration with Japanese partners to make the WBC a nationwide celebration. Noah Garden, MLB’s deputy commissioner for business and media, called the partnership a way to honor baseball’s tradition while embracing digital distribution so fans can follow the event on platforms that fit their lives.

The agreement marks Netflix’s first live sporting event in Japan and underscores the streamer’s accelerating push into live sports globally....