2026 WBC Netflix Public Viewing Guidelines in Japan
2026 WBC Netflix Exclusive Streaming
The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) will be exclusively streamed by Netflix in Japan. There will be no traditional TV broadcast.
Streaming Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | Netflix |
| Format | Live + On-demand |
| Coverage | All 47 games |
| TV Broadcast | None |
| Other Streaming | None (No Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, etc.) |
Hometown Hero Public Viewing
Netflix will host the "2026 World Baseball Classic Hometown Hero Public Viewing" event.
Event Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venues | 30 locations across Japan |
| Admission | Free |
| Host | Players' hometown municipalities/schools |
| Co-host | Netflix |
Eligible Games
- Tokyo Pool: All 4 Japan national team games
- Quarterfinals (if Japan advances)
- Semifinals (if Japan advances)
- Finals (if Japan advances)
Hosting Requirements
- Must be a Samurai Japan player's hometown or affiliated region
- Local municipality or alma mater must serve as the host
- Must sign a co-hosting agreement with Netflix
- No admission fees or ticket sales allowed (free events only)
Venue List
Detailed locations will be officially announced once confirmed. As the events will be held in each of the 30 players' hometowns, potential locations include:
- Shohei Ohtani: Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
- Munetaka Murakami: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Teruaki Sato: Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Other players' hometowns
Public Viewing at Commercial Venues
Current Policy
Netflix has stated they will "carefully evaluate" public viewing at commercial venues (sports bars, restaurants, etc.).
Important Notes
- Unauthorized screening at commercial venues may constitute copyright infringement
- Commercial facilities require separate licensing
- Detailed conditions to be announced later
Broadcast Production
| Games | Production Partner |
|---|---|
| Japan games | Nippon Television |
| Overseas games | J SPORTS |
Netflix partners with Nippon Television and J SPORTS for production. However, there will be no free-to-air broadcast.
Other Viewing Options
Radio Broadcast
| Station | Content |
|---|---|
| Nippon Broadcasting | Live coverage of all Samurai Japan games |
TV Highlights
Terrestrial TV news and information programs are expected to show highlight footage.
How to Watch on Netflix
Subscription Plans
| Plan | Monthly Fee (Tax incl.) | Quality | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard with Ads | ¥890 | Full HD | 2 |
| Standard | ¥1,590 | Full HD | 2 |
| Premium | ¥2,290 | 4K+HDR | 4 |
Compatible Devices
- Smartphones & Tablets
- Computers
- Smart TVs
- Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, etc.)
- Streaming devices (Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, etc.)
Summary
Ways to watch 2026 WBC live in Japan:
- Subscribe to Netflix - The most reliable method
- Hometown Hero Public Viewing - Free events at players' hometowns
- Radio - Nippon Broadcasting live coverage
General public viewings and traditional TV broadcasts are not currently planned.