For the first time in six calendar years, Major League Baseball and international bodies held the World Baseball Classic in 2023. The event saw some of the game’s best wear their country’s jersey and take on other participating nations across global competition. But, will the World Baseball Classic be held in 2024? Here’s an answer to that question.
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Status of WBC in 2024
No, there will not be a World Baseball Classic in 2024.
Traditionally, Major League Baseball, in conjunction with other international bodies and leagues, has held the World Baseball Classic every four years. But thanks to the pandemic, the 2021 WBC — which would have taken place four years after the 2017 event — wound up being pushed back to 2023.
However, this does not mean the next WBC will be held in 2027, four years after the last one. Instead, the next World Baseball Classic will be held in March 2026.
The time is of intrigue, as it comes just months before the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between MLB and the MLBPA is set to expire. The active CBA is set to expire on December 1, 2026, which was agreed upon after tense negotiations in 2021 and 2022.
It’s unknown when the next World Baseball Classic after 2026 will be held, as that will need to be collectively bargained by the league and the players association. But, the current CBA did include the 2026 World Baseball Classic as part of the league’s events abroad.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic saw Japan win for the third time — Japan won the first two WBC tournaments in 2006 and 2009 — in the event’s history. Team Japan defeated Team USA, the winner of the 2017 event, in the final that took place in Miami, Florida.