Netflix Takes New Swing With Japanese Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

Netflix is said to be interested in securing new Major League Baseball rights, but these games weren’t of the sort anyone was expecting.

The streaming giant has snared rights to stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament in Japan. The international baseball championship has been around since 2006, and is owned by MLB and operated jointly by the league and the MLB Players Association. Netflix, which has streamed documentary series about Major League baseball, has been examining the possibility of picking up rights to MLB’s Home Run Derby, a popular U.S. contest that is part of festivities tied to the All-Star Game, according to people familiar with recent discussions. Netflix has declined to comment.

Financial terms of the deal could not be immediately determined. Netflix has been showing increasing interest in sports properties, striking a deal to show NFL games on Christmas Day and ramping up its production of “behind the scenes” documentaries tied to major sports leagues.

“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,” said Kaata Sakamoto, vice president of content for Netflix in Japan, in a prepared statement. “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.”

Under terms of the deal, Netflix will stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic live and on-demand for viewers in Japan.

“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’s deputy Commissioner, business and media, in a statement. “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.”

The next edition of the tournament will be its sixth, and will feature 20 teams competing in four first round pools in Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida, starting on March 5 and 6, 2026. Team Japan is the defending champion of the tournament.