Tucson, Arizona, and Taipei City, Taiwan, will serve as hosts for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) qualifiers, set to take place in February and March 2025. These tournaments will determine the final four spots for the prestigious international baseball event.
From February 28 to March 7, 2025, the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson will be the center of the action, where teams from Colombia, Brazil, Germany, and China will compete for a chance to advance to the WBC.
The official announcement was made on Tuesday, featuring key figures like Édgar Soto, president of Tucson’s Sports Chamber. “We’re thrilled to welcome some of the world’s best teams to Tucson,” Soto said.
Blake Eager, former New York Mets player and Tucson native, also attended the event. “This is a unique opportunity for our city to showcase its love for baseball,” Eager remarked.
Adelita Grijalva and Jan Lester, representatives from Pima County, warmly welcomed the teams and fans. Meanwhile, Felipe García, president of Visit Tucson, highlighted the city’s preparations to host visitors during the competition week.
What to Expect from the 2026 World Baseball Classic
The 2026 WBC will mark the sixth edition of this premier international baseball tournament. Twenty national teams will vie for the title, making it the pinnacle of global baseball competition.
The qualifiers in 2025 will feature 12 countries battling for the four remaining slots. Divided into two groups, the participating teams are expected to include Germany, Argentina, Brazil, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Spain, France, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI)—a collaboration between Major League Baseball (MLB), the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)—previously announced the host venues for the main tournament. Games will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Tokyo Dome in Japan from March 5 to 17, 2026.
Qualifiers in Arizona and Taiwan
The 2026 World Baseball Classic qualifiers will see eight teams competing for the final four spots. In addition to Tucson, the Taipei Dome in Taiwan will host games from February 21 to 25, featuring teams from Spain, Nicaragua, South Africa, and Taiwan. The Tucson bracket will run from March 2 to 6, with Germany, Brazil, China, and Colombia battling for the last two tickets.
Sixteen teams have already secured their places in the 2026 WBC based on their 2023 performance, including Japan, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, the Czech Republic, South Korea, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Israel, and Venezuela.
With excitement building, Tucson is gearing up to deliver a world-class experience for players and fans alike as it becomes a key player on the road to the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
