MIAMI. – The resounding success of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which broke attendance and television audience records, has opened the door to significant changes in the future of the tournament, including the possibility of holding it mid-season.
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Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that the event will return in 2029 or 2030 and revealed that there is serious consideration to modifying its traditional schedule, currently played during spring training.
"If at some point we move towards a mid-season tournament, this would be the ideal scenario," Manfred expressed, highlighting that this option would allow for greater participation from stars, as teams tend to impose restrictions during spring training.
Records That Drive Change
The 2026 edition marked a turning point for the tournament. A total of 1,619,839 fans attended the 47 matches played, representing a 24% increase over the previous record of 2023.
On television, the figures also soared. The semi-final match between the United States and the Dominican Republic reached 7.37 million viewers, far surpassing previous records.
"This tournament has reached another level. It's nothing like it was in 2006," Manfred said.
Increased star participation
One of the main objectives of a possible calendar change is to ensure the presence of more elite players. Currently, franchises can limit the participation of their players or impose restrictions, such as pitch counts.
Figures like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Paul Skenes led the United States team in this edition, but other key pitchers had limited participation.
The American leader Mark DeRosa considered that a tournament in the middle of the season would eliminate many of these restrictions. "I don't think there would be refusals if it were played at that time," he assured.
Global Baseball Expansion
Since its creation in 2006, the World Baseball Classic has established itself as the premier international baseball event. Countries like Japan, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela have fueled its growth, while new nations continue to gain prominence.
Furthermore, the tournament has become a key platform for the commercial development of the sport, strengthening agreements with sponsors and television networks globally.
Olympic Games Factor
The possible participation of Major League players in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will also influence the decision on the date of the next World Baseball Classic.
Baseball authorities are evaluating how to harmonize both events within the international calendar, which could define whether the tournament is held in 2029 or 2030.
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