The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is a major international event, with games scheduled in multiple cities across two countries, as well as a territory of the United States. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your trip.
Step 1: Secure Your Tickets
Ticket information for the 2026 World Baseball Classic has been released. Unlike some other tournaments, there are specific on-sale dates for different ticket packages and locations.
- Official Ticketing Website: The official source for tickets is the MLB’s dedicated WBC website: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/tickets. You should only purchase tickets from this and other officially authorized partners.
- Host Cities and Venues:
- Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Dome
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: Hiram Bithorn Stadium
- Houston, Texas, USA: Minute Maid Park (also known as Daikin Park for the event)
- Miami, Florida, USA: loanDepot park
- Ticket Deadlines and Sales Phases:
- Full Ticket Strips: These packages, which include tickets to all games in a specific pool, are already on sale. They are typically offered first to season ticket holders of the host MLB teams (Houston Astros and Miami Marlins) and then to the general public.
- Country-Specific Ticket Strips: These packages, which include only the games for a specific country, went on sale in September 2025.
- Single-Game Tickets:
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: On sale to the general public on December 1, 2025.
- Houston, Miami, and Tokyo: On sale to the general public on January 15, 2026.
- High-Demand Events: As the semifinals and final are being held in Miami, tickets for those games will be in extremely high demand and are likely included in premium ticket strips. It’s best to purchase these packages early to ensure your attendance at the final rounds.
Step 2: Book Your Accommodation
Since the event is spread across multiple cities, your accommodation strategy will depend on which games you plan to attend.
- Plan Your Itinerary: Decide which cities and pools you want to follow.
- Use Major Booking Websites: Use reputable websites like Booking.com, Expedia, or Airbnb to book your hotels.
- Book as Early as Possible: With a significant international event of this scale, hotels will book up quickly, and prices will rise significantly as the tournament approaches.
- Consider Proximity to Venues:
- Houston (Minute Maid Park): Hotels in downtown Houston offer excellent access to the stadium.
- Miami (loanDepot park): The venue is not in a central tourist area, so you may want to book a hotel in a nearby neighborhood with good public transportation.
- Tokyo (Tokyo Dome): Tokyo has a massive public transportation network. Staying near a central train station provides easy access to the stadium and other parts of the city.
- San Juan (Hiram Bithorn Stadium): The stadium is a bit away from the main tourist areas. Hotels in Old San Juan or Condado will offer a better tourist experience, while being a short taxi or ride-share away from the stadium.
Step 3: Arrange Your Visa or Travel Authorization
This is a critical step that should be started well in advance due to long processing times in many countries.
- For the United States:
- Check Eligibility: You’ll need either a B-2 (tourism) visa or a travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- ESTA: If you are a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you can apply for an ESTA online. This is the fastest and easiest option, allowing a stay of up to 90 days.
- B-2 Visa: If your country is not in the VWP, you must apply for a B-2 visa.
- Deadline: You must begin this process immediately. Visa interview wait times at many U.S. embassies are over a year. While the event is in March 2026, you should have already started this process to ensure a slot.
- Process: Complete the DS-160 online application, pay the fee, and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You will need to bring supporting documents proving your ties to your home country, financial stability, and your purpose of travel (e.g., your WBC tickets).
- For Japan:
- Check Visa Requirements: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) lists countries that are visa-exempt for short-term stays. If your country is on this list, you can travel without a visa.
- Visa Application (if needed): If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a temporary visitor visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The process involves filling out an application, providing a passport and a photo, and submitting documents such as your itinerary and proof of event attendance.
- For Puerto Rico:
- U.S. Travel Requirements Apply: As a territory of the United States, all visitors to Puerto Rico are subject to the exact entry requirements as the mainland U.S. You will need a valid U.S. B-2 visa or an ESTA to enter.
Disclaimer: This information is based on current knowledge and official announcements. All dates, times, and requirements are subject to change. Always consult the official websites of the World Baseball Classic, MLB, and the relevant government bodies for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
