Fox Sports is running it back with the World Baseball Classic, renewing its exclusive U.S. media rights for the 2026 tournament. The deal locks in a key international sporting event for the network, betting that the massive viewership from the 2023 championship was a sign of staying power.
The viral at-bat: The 2023 tournament's unforgettable finale—which saw Shohei Ohtani strike out Angels teammate Mike Trout to win the championship for Japan—was a ratings goldmine. The climactic moment pushed the FS1 broadcast to a peak of 6.5 million viewers, giving Fox a clear incentive to re-up.
More games, bigger stage: Riding that momentum, Fox is moving more 2026 games to its biggest stage. The main broadcast network will now air seven key matchups, including the championship game, with the rest of the tournament's games airing across its cable and streaming platforms.
Star power on deck: The deal comes as streamers circle live sports, with Netflix having already snapped up the WBC rights in Japan. To boost its own broadcast, the U.S. team is getting a dose of star power, as Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has committed to captain the team for his first appearance in the event.
In an era of intense competition for eyeballs, premier international sports with built-in drama remain a must-have for traditional broadcasters looking to defend their turf.
Also on our radar: The battle for baseball viewership is heating up beyond the WBC, as streamers and rival networks are reportedly snapping up rights to other key MLB events like the Home Run Derby. Meanwhile, Fox made its big renewal announcement live on air during its MLB playoff coverage, with a little help from baseball legends Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez.
