WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —The World Baseball Classic returns next week, and Houston will be at the center of it.
The 20-team tournament runs March 6–17 and is divided into four pools across multiple host cities. Houston will host Group B at Daikin Park from March 6–11, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Two quarterfinal games will also be played in Houston before the semifinals and championship shift to Miami.
While Team USA headlines Group B, several Astros will leave spring training to represent their home countries.
Daikin Park Takes the Global Stage
Daikin Park will serve as one of the primary U.S. host sites for the tournament, welcoming five national teams over six days of pool play. The venue will also host two quarterfinal games March 13–14, giving Houston fans multiple opportunities to see international baseball on home soil.
The WBC marks the most significant international event at the ballpark since the 2017 tournament and brings global attention to Houston just weeks before the Astros begin their regular season.
Houston Hosts Group B
Group B features the United States, Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy. Each team will play four round-robin games over five days at Daikin Park.
Team USA opens March 6 against Brazil before facing Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy on consecutive nights. The Americans are captained by reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge and feature both 2025 Cy Young winners, Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.
Team USA Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Friday, March 6, 8 p.m.: vs. Brazil
Saturday, March 7, 8 p.m.: vs. Great Britain
Monday, March 9, 8 p.m.: vs. Mexico
Tuesday, March 10, 9 p.m.: vs. Italy
The top two teams in Group B will advance to the quarterfinal round in Houston on March 13–14.
The United States is seeking its second WBC title after winning in 2017. Japan defeated the Americans 3-2 in the 2023 championship game and has captured three of the five tournaments played since 2006.
Astros Representation
Several Astros players will participate for other countries.
Jeremy Peña will suit up for the Dominican Republic, while Zach Dezenzo represents Italy and Shay Whitcomb joins South Korea.
Their departures mean Houston will be without key roster pieces for nearly two weeks during a critical evaluation stretch in spring training. Pool play overlaps with Grapefruit League games that often help determine final roster decisions.
For manager Joe Espada, that creates both opportunity and disruption—more at-bats and innings for bubble players, but fewer reps for established regulars.
Knockout Rounds and Host Cities
Pool play concludes March 11 across all four groups. Quarterfinal games will be split between Houston and Miami, with the semifinals and championship game held at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Japan enters as the defending champion and early favorite to repeat. The United States believes this roster may represent its strongest opportunity to reclaim the crown since its 2017 title run.
For Houston, the WBC is both a showcase and a scheduling challenge. Daikin Park will host international baseball on the sport’s biggest stage while the Astros finalize their roster for Opening Day.