After a 6-year absence, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is back! Originally scheduled to take place in 2021, the tournament began on 8 March 2023 with 20 teams taking part. This short guide will cover the main details surrounding this year’s tournament, including venues, teams, and tickets.
How long does the World Baseball Classic last?
The WBC began on 8 March. The tournament’s Championship Game is set to take place on 21 March in Miami, Florida.
Where are games being held?
The WBC is a truly global tournament with games held in 4 cities across North America and Asia.
In the First Round, each group will play its games at a single venue. Pool A (Netherlands, Panama, Italy, Chinese Taipei, Cuba) is based at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan; Pool B (Japan, Korea, Australia, Czech Republic, China) will play its games at the Tokyo Dome in Japan; Pool C (United States, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Great Britain) is located at Chase Field, Arizona; and finally, Pool D (Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua) will be based at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Once the First Round is over, the Quarterfinals will be split between the Tokyo Dome and loanDepot Park. Both the tournament’s Semifinals and Championship Game will be played in Miami.
How does the tournament work?
Each First Round pool contains 5 teams. After all teams in a pool have played each other once, the top 2 sides will qualify for the Quarterfinals with each pool winner facing a runner-up from a different group. From then on, it’s knockout baseball until a WBC champion is crowned on 21 March.
Who are the favourites?
Having won their first World Baseball Classic in 2017, defending champions the USA will enter this year’s competition as one of the favourites, and with good reason – it’s hard to bet against a line-up that includes Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Nolan Arenado, and Pete Alonso. However, the Dominican Republic boast the competition’s most dangerous pitching staff and are many pundits' top pick to take home their second WBC title. As always, 2-time winners Japan are not a team to write off, and with the help of 2021 MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani, will hope to make it a hat-trick of championships in Miami in March.
Are tickets still available?
Though some of the tournament’s biggest games are in high demand, many tickets are still available for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (starting from as little as USD $4) meaning baseball fans can still be part of this prestigious, global celebration.
For more information on the WBC, or to purchase tickets, click here.