Should the World Baseball Classic Be Played Every 2 Years? Rob Manfred's Plan Explained

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred considers making the WBC a more regular event, but there are pros and cons to increasing its frequency.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:06am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game or match between two national teams, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The World Baseball Classic's global appeal is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the action on the field into a dynamic, geometric display.Today in Orlando

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering making the World Baseball Classic a more regular event, potentially playing it every two years instead of the current irregular schedule. While a consistent schedule could help solidify the tournament's place in the global sporting calendar, there are concerns that increasing the frequency could diminish the event's prestige and make it harder for top players to participate during the MLB season.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic has grown into a hugely successful global event, showcasing baseball's international talent and appeal. How Manfred and MLB navigate the scheduling decisions around the WBC will be crucial in shaping the sport's future growth and popularity worldwide.

The details

Manfred's desire for a more consistent WBC schedule stems from the tournament's recent success, particularly in viewership. The event has previously bounced around on a three-year, four-year, and even six-year cycle, which has made it challenging for broadcasters and fans to plan around. A predictable two or three-year rotation could help solidify the WBC's place in the global sporting calendar. However, there are concerns that increasing the frequency too much could diminish the event's prestige and make it harder for top MLB players to participate during the grueling 162-game season.

  • The most recent World Baseball Classic was held in 2023.
  • The tournament has previously been played in 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2017.

The players

Rob Manfred

The Commissioner of Major League Baseball, who is considering changes to the World Baseball Classic schedule.

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese professional baseball player who starred in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Mike Trout

An American professional baseball player who faced off against Shohei Ohtani in an iconic matchup at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

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What’s next

Manfred and MLB will need to carefully consider the scheduling options for the World Baseball Classic, balancing the desire for regularity with the need to preserve the event's prestige and appeal to top players.

The takeaway

The World Baseball Classic has become a hugely successful global event, but any changes to its schedule must be approached cautiously to ensure it maintains its unique appeal and continues to showcase baseball's international growth.