USA-Dominican Republic WBC Semifinal Sets TV Viewership Record

Thrilling 2-1 win for Team USA draws 7.369 million viewers, the most in tournament history.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:04pm

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The TV viewership for Sunday's semifinal matchup between the USA and the Dominican Republic at loanDepot park in Miami set a new World Baseball Classic record, with 7.369 million viewers tuning in to watch Team USA's thrilling 2-1 victory on FS1 and FOX Deportes. The game was the most-watched WBC broadcast ever and the most-watched sporting event of the past weekend, with viewership peaking at 8.17 million viewers as Team USA clinched its third trip to the WBC championship game.

Why it matters

The record-breaking viewership numbers demonstrate the growing popularity and interest in the World Baseball Classic, which has become a premier international baseball tournament. The star-studded matchup between the USA and the Dominican Republic, two of the tournament favorites, generated significant excitement and engagement from fans.

The details

The 7.369 million viewers who tuned in to watch Sunday's semifinal made it the most-watched WBC broadcast in tournament history. Of that total, 6.864 million viewers watched on FS1, making it the network's most-watched telecast since 2019. Viewership peaked at 8.17 million viewers between 11 p.m. ET and 11:08 p.m. ET as Team USA clinched the victory.

  • The semifinal matchup took place on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Team USA

The United States national baseball team, which has won the World Baseball Classic three times in a row.

Dominican Republic

The national baseball team of the Dominican Republic, a perennial contender in the World Baseball Classic.

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The takeaway

The record-breaking viewership for the USA-Dominican Republic semifinal underscores the growing popularity and global appeal of the World Baseball Classic, which continues to attract top talent and generate significant interest from fans around the world.