The media and sporting success of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has reopened the debate about how often the tournament should be held. After years of uncertainty and adjustments forced by the pandemic, the outlook for future editions is beginning to clear up with a proposal that seeks to give stability to the international calendar.
The new World Baseball Classic cycle
Historically, the tournament has navigated periods of three, four and even six years of waiting. However, the baseball authorities seem to have found the ideal balance.
According to Horacio de la Vega, president of the National Teams Committee and the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), there is a clear intention to establish a shorter cycle than that of the FIFA World Cup.
"The World Baseball Classic, as far as I know, is going to be every three years, unlike the World Cup or the Olympic Games, which are every four years," De la Vega said in an exclusive interview with Septima Entrada.
This policy, which has been discussed globally, seeks to capitalize on fan enthusiasm and avoid the long gaps that cooled interest in decades past. For the executives, "three years seems like a fair amount of time to do this type of event," according to De la Vega.
What's next for the World Baseball Classic?
The 2026 edition, which is currently reaching its climax in major venues, marked the triumphant return of the event. If the plan for a three-year cycle is implemented, the roadmap for the coming years would be as follows:
- 2029: Next edition projected under the new cycle.
- 2032: Consolidation of the format.
- 2035: Tenth estimated edition of the competition.
Although the consensus seems to lean towards three years, the final decision does not depend solely on intention. As an event organized by MLB, any structural changes must go through the negotiating table.