This Thursday it was confirmed that the loanDepot Park stadium has been selected once again as the venue for the grand final of the World Baseball Classic, but now in its 2026 edition.
The Tokyo Dome, in Japan, will also host the event; Hiram Bithorn Stadium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The first round matches will be divided between the four venues, and The semifinals will be divided between Houston and Miami, although the grand final will be held at loanDepot Park.
The news had been anticipated at the end of April by a Major League Baseball (MLB) official on condition of anonymity, but it is now official.
The Miami Marlins stadium has a capacity of 37,442 spectators and has hosted the World Baseball Classic on four previous occasions.
He Minute Maid Park de Houston debuts as headquarters of the World Classic. With a capacity of 40,963 seats, that stadium is known for hosting events such as the American League Championship Series since 2017.
Regarding the Puerto Rican Hiram Bithorn Stadium, returns to the tournament after a 13-year absence. With a capacity for 18,000 spectators, this stadium has been the scene of great moments, such as Cuba’s great performance, which took it to the final of the tournament in its first edition (2006).
He Tokyo Dome, base of the Yomiuri Giants, has hosted all editions of the World Baseball Classic. With a capacity for 46,000 spectators, it has the attendance record in 2023 with 361,976 fans.
Japan has won the tournament three times (2006, 2009 and 2023).
Looking ahead to the 2026 edition of the event, 16 of the 20 teams that will participate are already confirmed.
The remaining four, which will come from Chinese Taipei, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Pakistan, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and Colombia, will be defined in a qualifying tournament next year in Tucson, Arizona.
LoanDepot Park, graced again with the celebration of the final event, is the official home of the Miami Marlins. It is located on the site of the former Miami Orange Bowl, in Little Havana, about three kilometers west of Downtown Miami.
In the 2023 edition of the World Baseball Classic The Cuban team reached the semifinal round, which was also played in Miami. In that instance they lost 14 runs to 2 against the Americans.
