AP Photo/David J. Phillip
United States right fielder Aaron Judge, right, slaps hands with third baseman Alex Bregman during a World Baseball Classic workout Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston.
Some of baseball’s brightest stars are playing in Houston during the next week as part of the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament held during spring training for the upcoming major league season.
The United States, along with teams from Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico, each will play four Pool B games at the Houston Astros’ Daikin Park from Friday through Wednesday. The downtown ballpark also is hosting quarterfinal games on March 13-14, and the March 13 game has the potential to include Team USA.
Former Astros third baseman Alex Bregman is on the roster for the U.S., which also includes stars such as Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. The team’s coaching staff includes Houston native and former Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte, along with Brian McCann, a member of Houston’s World Series-winning team in 2017.
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Current Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo is competing for Italy.
The action started at noon Friday, with a game between Mexico and Great Britain. The U.S. has its opening game at 7 p.m. Friday against Brazil and will take on Great Britain at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets for the 10 pool games and two quarterfinal matchups can be purchased online through the Major League Baseball website. As of midday Friday, prices for Friday night’s game between the U.S. and Brazil started at $28, while the cheapest tickets for Monday night’s game between the U.S. and Mexico were $89.
Houston is one of four host sites for the 20-team tournament, along with Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Miami’s loanDepot park, which is hosting Pool D games, will also be the site of the World Baseball Classic semifinals from March 15-16 and the championship game on March 17.