Setting the Stage for the World Baseball Classic

In 2026, the World Baseball Classic, widely considered the premier international baseball tournament, celebrates its 20th anniversary with an extraordinary showcase of global talent and competition. In its six iterations, hundreds of different players have tried to claim the title as the best in the world.

One thing that hasn’t changed over those two decades, no matter how the teams or players evolve, is the consistent excellence of the fields. That’s because BrightView has played a crucial role in ensuring that every pitch, every slide, every catch, and every jaw-dropping play happens on turf fit for champions.

“When you’re hosting the biggest event in international baseball, there’s no margin for error,” said Murray Cook, President of BrightView Sports Turf. “Our teams understand that every detail, from turf health and a level playing surface to field markings, plays a role in the integrity of the game.”

For the 2026 tournament, the games will be held at four venues around the world: Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Daikin Park in Houston; the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo; and LoanDepot Park in Miami. In Japan and Puerto Rico, team members from BrightView’s Sports Turf division are working shoulder-to-shoulder with local field maintenance crews to prepare and maintain the playing surfaces from first pitch until the championship is decided.

From meticulous turf grooming to precision field lining and seamless and quick transitions between games, BrightView’s team of 20 is primed and ready to make sure that the field conditions meet the exacting standards of international and elite competition. Their work behind the scenes is a vital foundation for players from around the world to showcase their skills without distraction.

“What makes the World Baseball Classic truly special is the collaboration behind the scenes,” Cook said. “We’re proud to partner with the talented local field maintenance crews at the venues, blending our experience building and maintaining iconic fields with their deep knowledge of their home parks. It’s a shared commitment to excellence that ensures the players compete on surfaces that are safe, consistent, and championship-caliber.”

This year’s World Baseball Classic runs from March 5 through 17 with the final game scheduled to play in Miami. Twenty national teams, including powerhouses like Japan, the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, are split into four competitive pools that will play their round-robin games at their respective stadium assignment.

As the teams take the field in San Juan, Houston, Tokyo, and Miami, the worldwide spotlight will shine on elite athleticism and national pride. BrightView’s dedication to world-class field management is helping to make this celebration of international baseball the best ever. It’s a testament to two decades of excellence on the diamond.

“For 20 years, the World Baseball Classic has played a powerful role in growing the game across the planet and bringing countries together through competition,” Cook said. “To be trusted as part of that legacy means a great deal to all of us at BrightView. Every tournament raises the bar, and we approach it with the same focus and pride. It’s an honor to help create the stage where the world’s best baseball players represent their nations and compete at the highest level.”