The Official 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic) Thread

al3xmac10 · 02-01-2026, 11:37 PM

Are you excited yet?

hammertime · 02-02-2026, 08:10 AM

Can't wait! Samurai Japan and Team USA are STACKED.

Hollywood42 · 02-02-2026, 08:36 AM

I'll put "official" in my thread next time

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1622138

Always looking forward to this! Will be at a few more Team USA games this year. So fun to see even more studs join up this time around

zworykin · 02-02-2026, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammertime

Can't wait! Samurai Japan and Team USA are STACKED.

La República Dominicana, también.

haldcottingham · 02-02-2026, 09:25 AM

This looks like it's shaping up to be one of the best WBC's yet.

Mandy1320 · 02-02-2026, 09:44 AM

Me and a bunch of friends went to the WBC in 2017 and it was by far the best live baseball experience ever.

We started talking about running it back this year and then saw the ticket prices and now it's probably not going to happen. We sat in the 200 level for USA vs DR for ~$50 each in 2017 and now the cheapest ticket is ~$250.

Viking6 · 02-02-2026, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandy1320

Me and a bunch of friends went to the WBC in 2017 and it was by far the best live baseball experience ever.

We started talking about running it back this year and then saw the ticket prices and now it's probably not going to happen. We sat in the 200 level for USA vs DR for ~$50 each in 2017 and now the cheapest ticket is ~$250.

The best deal in pro sports is attending games at Marlins Park in Miami.

My wife and I sat first row of the upper deck close to home plate for $40 each for the 2023 WBC Championship Game for USA vs. Japan.

Could have sat 10-15 rows from the field for $250.

We plan on going to the Final again this year and/or maybe the Semifinals if Skenes is on the mound.

JWBlue · 02-02-2026, 10:31 AM

I love this tournament but it sucks that we can't get the best pitchers completely available.

NYRE2PECT · 02-02-2026, 10:45 AM

Team USA vs. Mex in Hou $200/each for the second to last row, ew.

Trueblue · 02-02-2026, 01:22 PM

The tournament that Ichiro and Shohei built!

eastbayak · 02-02-2026, 01:47 PM

20 years ago, I had the privilege of watching the Japan vs. Mexico game at the Anaheim ball park in the first-ever WBC.

Cool to even see the box score now.

Mandy1320 · 02-02-2026, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking6

The best deal in pro sports is attending games at Marlins Park in Miami.

My wife and I sat first row of the upper deck close to home plate for $40 each for the 2023 WBC Championship Game for USA vs. Japan.

Could have sat 10-15 rows from the field for $250.

We plan on going to the Final again this year and/or maybe the Semifinals if Skenes is on the mound.

That sounds awesome. I hope you're able to go back without taking out a loan!

premium1981 · 02-02-2026, 02:53 PM

So excited! If our schedule allows, we are going to fly to Miami and watch the semi and/or the finals. Didn't get a chance to go last time and I want to make sure to watch one of these in person. Life is short. Gotta make these awesome games happen!!!! GO USA!!!!

NYRE2PECT · 02-02-2026, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premium1981

So excited! If our schedule allows, we are going to fly to Miami and watch the semi and/or the finals. Didn't get a chance to go last time and I want to make sure to watch one of these in person. Life is short. Gotta make these awesome games happen!!!! GO USA!!!!

Congrats - that would be epic!

premium1981 · 02-02-2026, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

Congrats - that would be epic!

I finally got to see a HR Derby this past year since it was in Atlanta. I had always wanted to do that, and it didn't disappoint. Unless I lose all my marbles on the way, I plan on sitting on my front porch at 90 years old thinking back to these awesome experiences and sharing the stories with the grandkids. Would love to see another Team USA versus Team Japan matchup.

Hollywood42 · 02-02-2026, 04:28 PM

Ticket prices were way up for all the major teams at US locations this year compared to last time around. It's a bummer, but it does at least in part show how much last tournament grew the WBC. I was hoping to go to the US/Mexico pool play game, but I can't justify $200 just to get in the door in the nosebleeds, as fun as it would be. But I'll be at a couple of the other US games, can't wait!

abaseballjunkie · 02-02-2026, 09:23 PM

I'm hoping to drive down to Houston for the USA-Italy game. Tickets are still pretty cheap for that one!

johnlocke36 · 02-02-2026, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBlue

I love this tournament but it sucks that we can't get the best pitchers completely available.

the only 3 pitchers that are must watch for me are Skenes, Skubal, and Miller and all 3 are on the roster (also Degrom but not the same unless he goes all out). Sure would be nice to see Crochet and others but its easily the strongest group of pitchers wer have ever seen for team USA

PuddleMonkey · 02-03-2026, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al3xmac10

Are you excited yet?

Pumped. Time for revenge.

Allen Ginter 99 · 02-03-2026, 05:37 PM

In honor of WBC

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Allen Ginter 99 · 02-03-2026, 05:38 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Allen Ginter 99 · 02-03-2026, 05:38 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

al3xmac10 · 02-03-2026, 05:39 PM

↑↑↑↑Oh Wow.↑↑↑↑

carlitoson · 02-04-2026, 10:26 AM

Here is Upper Deck's set from the inaugural tournament:

zworykin · 02-05-2026, 08:52 PM

Hoping I get another opportunity to pick up something like this - the HR ball from the swing in photo:

02-01-2026, 11:37 PM	#1
al3xmac10 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 13,600 al3xmac10	The Official 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic) Thread Are you excited yet? __________________ Instagram: al3xmac10 Always looking for rare Shohei Ohtani 2018 autos & [Ichiro 2016 Topps Now #154 Inscription Auto /10]

02-02-2026, 08:10 AM	#2
hammertime Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: OH->MI->MD->VA Posts: 7,109	Can't wait! Samurai Japan and Team USA are STACKED. __________________ Collecting foci: E98 master set, HOF rookie autos, Reds HOF autos, All-time top southpaws (Waddell, Plank, Grove, Hubbell, Spahn, Ford, Koufax, Carlton, Glavine, Johnson, Kershaw), Ohtani

02-02-2026, 08:36 AM	#3
Hollywood42 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minnesota Posts: 39,743 Hollywood42	I'll put "official" in my thread next time https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1622138 Always looking forward to this! Will be at a few more Team USA games this year. So fun to see even more studs join up this time around __________________ Collecting the Twins All my PC wants/haves available at hollywood42cards.com

02-02-2026, 09:25 AM	#5
haldcottingham Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 371	This looks like it's shaping up to be one of the best WBC's yet. __________________ Always looking to trade for Dale Murphy autos, numbered, or oddballs I might not have.

02-02-2026, 10:31 AM	#8
JWBlue Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 10,298	I love this tournament but it sucks that we can't get the best pitchers completely available. __________________ Hobby favorites : Redemptions, Black /1 cards, Baseball : Topps flagship

02-02-2026, 09:44 AM	#6
Mandy1320 Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,842 marande-5259	Me and a bunch of friends went to the WBC in 2017 and it was by far the best live baseball experience ever. We started talking about running it back this year and then saw the ticket prices and now it's probably not going to happen. We sat in the 200 level for USA vs DR for ~$50 each in 2017 and now the cheapest ticket is ~$250.

02-02-2026, 10:45 AM	#9
NYRE2PECT Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: San Antonio Posts: 8,822	Team USA vs. Mex in Hou $200/each for the second to last row, ew. __________________ Lifelong California Angels fan and Shohei Collector

02-02-2026, 01:22 PM	#10
Trueblue Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: socal Posts: 7,120	The tournament that Ichiro and Shohei built!

02-02-2026, 01:47 PM	#11
eastbayak Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 17,085 eastbayak	20 years ago, I had the privilege of watching the Japan vs. Mexico game at the Anaheim ball park in the first-ever WBC. Cool to even see the box score now.

02-02-2026, 02:53 PM	#13
premium1981 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,613	So excited! If our schedule allows, we are going to fly to Miami and watch the semi and/or the finals. Didn't get a chance to go last time and I want to make sure to watch one of these in person. Life is short. Gotta make these awesome games happen!!!! GO USA!!!!

02-02-2026, 04:28 PM	#16
Hollywood42 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minnesota Posts: 39,743 Hollywood42	Ticket prices were way up for all the major teams at US locations this year compared to last time around. It's a bummer, but it does at least in part show how much last tournament grew the WBC. I was hoping to go to the US/Mexico pool play game, but I can't justify $200 just to get in the door in the nosebleeds, as fun as it would be. But I'll be at a couple of the other US games, can't wait! __________________ Collecting the Twins All my PC wants/haves available at hollywood42cards.com

02-02-2026, 09:23 PM	#17
abaseballjunkie Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: ATX Posts: 310 bhsknight04	I'm hoping to drive down to Houston for the USA-Italy game. Tickets are still pretty cheap for that one! __________________ ISO: 2021 and 2022 NWSL Parkside Lynn Williams chrome 1/1s Various USA Baseball cards over the years from Topps/Upper Deck/Panini 1980s Fresno Giants MiLB & 80s/90s Fresno State baseball/softball cards

02-03-2026, 05:37 PM	#20
Allen Ginter 99 Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 610 Eclipsegt911	In honor of WBC Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-03-2026, 05:38 PM	#21
Allen Ginter 99 Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 610 Eclipsegt911	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-03-2026, 05:39 PM	#23
al3xmac10 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 13,600 al3xmac10	↑↑↑↑Oh Wow.↑↑↑↑ __________________ Instagram: al3xmac10 Always looking for rare Shohei Ohtani 2018 autos & [Ichiro 2016 Topps Now #154 Inscription Auto /10]

02-04-2026, 10:26 AM	#24
carlitoson Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 74 carlitoson	Here is Upper Deck's set from the inaugural tournament:

02-05-2026, 08:52 PM	#25
zworykin Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 6,146 zworykin2	Hoping I get another opportunity to pick up something like this - the HR ball from the swing in photo: