The World Baseball Classic is a celebration of Miami's multicultural roots
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Dominican Republic fans cheer the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami. Photo: Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images
The World Baseball Classic returns to Miami on Friday, as the sport's global stars play for national glory in front of South Florida's roaring fans.
Why it matters: The WBC is more than a tournament. It's a celebration of the cultures that define Miami's immigrant communities.
- The city's massive year in sports — headlined by the World Cup beginning this June — hinges on Miami's diversity and the pride that international fans take in cheering on their native countries.
Flashback: When Miami hosted the last classic in 2023, fans draped themselves in flags, played musical instruments and danced in the stands.
- The average attendance at loanDepot park was nearly 32,000 fans — more than twice the average attendance during the Miami Marlins 2025 season, according to figures from the Miami Herald and ESPN.
- "This doesn't compare to a major-league game," Sweetwater resident Luis Gonzalez, who is Nicaraguan, told the New York Times during the 2023 tournament. "Americans are quieter and mostly watch. Latinos are dancing, playing, messing around."
Driving the news: The Marlins' stadium is hosting 15 games during this year's tournament, including two quarterfinal games, two semifinals and the championship on March 17.
- The first game here is on Friday between the Netherlands and Venezuela.
- The other Pool D countries playing in Miami are the Dominican Republic, Israel and Nicaragua — but the best teams will meet in Miami for the semifinals and the final.
Names to know: Some of Major League Baseball's biggest stars are playing, including Shohei Ohtani, whose Japanese team won the 2023 tournament.
- Aaron Judge (USA), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dominican Republic) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (Venezuela) represent a fraction of the biggest names participating.
- MLB.com ranked the best teams and their top players.
Ticket prices: You can find tickets for as little as $20 for most of the Pool D games, with the Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela game on March 11 being the most expensive of that round.
- Tickets for the championship start at about $380.
- LoanDepot Park will have live musical performances and fan activities.
How to watch: FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes
Go deeper: Check out the park's rules and parking information.