Is WBC 2026 only available on Netflix? Summary of how to watch without losing money from registration to cancellation [Netflix for the first time]

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) will finally begin in March 2026. I'm looking forward to seeing the success of Samurai Japan, including Shohei Otani.

However, there may be many people who are confused, saying, ``I want to watch WBC, but isn't it broadcast on TV?'' or ``I've never used Netflix.''

In conclusion, WBC 2026 will be exclusively distributed by Netflix in Japan. There will be no terrestrial TV broadcast (live radio broadcast will be available on Nippon Broadcasting System). Based on information as of March 2026, we will explain all the steps for registering, watching, and canceling so that even first-time Netflix users can watch WBC without hesitation.

Why can't I watch WBC on TV? Reason for exclusive distribution by Netflix

A lot of people are surprised and wonder, "Isn't WBC broadcast on TV?" Up until now, WBC has been broadcast on terrestrial television as a matter of course, so it's no wonder.

The reason for this change is that World Baseball Classic Inc., which operates WBC, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Netflix in Japan. According to Netflix official announcement, exclusive rights to live and missed broadcasts of all 47 games have passed to Netflix.

In other words, even if TV stations wanted to broadcast it, they couldn't. However, Nippon Broadcasting System has announced that it will broadcast the Japan National Team match live on radio. For those who would like to listen without the video, there is also the option of radio.

Which Netflix price plan should I choose? Just WBC is OK for 890 yen per month

Netflix has three pricing plans. The prices as of March 2026 are as follows.

Plan name	Monthly fee	Image quality	Simultaneous viewing	Advertisement
Standard with ads	890 yen	Full HD (1080p)	2 units	Available (approximately 4 minutes per hour)
Standard	1,590 yen	Full HD (1080p)	2 units	None
Premium	2,290 yen	4K+HDR	4 units	None

If you just want to watch WBC, "Standard with ads" (890 yen per month) is sufficient. All plans allow you to watch all WBC matches both live and missed. There are 15-30 second video ads that run before and during playback, but if you're watching a baseball game and you can use the restroom or get a drink in between commercials, you probably won't notice it that much.

Don't miss the first month half price campaign

Netflix is running a campaign where new registrations until March 18, 2026 will get half off the first month as part of the WBC support campaign. Standard with ads can be used for 498 yen for the first month.

You may get a better deal if you go through your mobile carrier

au/UQ mobile users may be able to use the standard plan with ads at no additional charge through the "Netflix Support Campaign" (until March 31, 2026). Docomo users can receive up to 20% d Points back when they join via "Bakuage Selection". Check out your career's campaigns.

Netflix registration procedure | Initial setup in 5 minutes

For those who are using Netflix for the first time, we will explain the registration procedure.

Step 1: Access and register with Netflix

Visit Netflix official website
Enter your email address and tap "Start now"
Set password
Select a price plan ("Standard with ads" is OK if you only want WBC)
Register your payment method (credit card, PayPay, digital gift card, etc.)

Registration can be completed in about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing to watch on TV

If you just want to watch it on your smartphone, just download the Netflix app and you're done. But I still want to watch WBC on the big screen.

There are three main ways to watch Netflix on your TV.

Method 1: Watch directly on smart TV

If your TV is from 2018 or later, it is most likely a smart TV that supports Netflix. If your remote has a "Netflix" button, just press it. You can watch it immediately after logging in.

Method 2: Use Fire TV Stick or Chromecast

Even if your TV doesn't support Netflix, it's okay as long as your TV has an HDMI terminal. You can watch it on your TV by plugging Amazon's Fire TV Stick (approximately 5,000 yen ~) or Google's Chromecast (approximately 5,000 yen ~) into the HDMI terminal, connecting it to Wi-Fi, and installing the Netflix app.

Method 3: Using a game console

The Netflix app is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, etc. If you have a game console, you can watch TV at no additional cost.

WBC 2026 match schedule | When will Samurai Japan play?

According to WBC official website, the entire tournament will be held from March 5, 2026 (Thursday) to March 18, 2026 (Wednesday).

Japan National Team (SAMURAI JAPAN) Tokyo pool schedule

The first round of Samurai Japan will be held at Tokyo Dome from March 6th (Friday) to March 10th (Tuesday). All games start at 7pm (night games).

If you make it through the first round, the quarterfinals and beyond will be held in Miami, USA. In Japan time, the game will start from 7am to 9am, so you will need to decide whether to watch it before going to work or check for missed broadcasts.

Are there any missed broadcasts?

Netflix also offers on-demand streaming of all matches. Even if you can't watch it in real time, it's helpful to be able to watch it later. However, you need to be careful not to receive spoilers on SNS.

What will you do after WBC is over? Netflix cancellation procedure and precautions

I'm sure there are many people who want to cancel their subscription after WBC ends. This is the most important point.

Cancellation procedure (for web browser)

Log in to Netflix
Tap the profile icon on the top right
Select "Account"
Tap "Cancel Membership"
Tap "Complete cancellation procedure" on the confirmation screen

This is all you need to do to cancel your subscription. Even if you cancel, you can continue watching until your next billing date.

When is the best time to cancel?

Netflix monthly charges are not pro-rated. This means that even if you cancel mid-month, your charges will not change. Therefore, it is OK to cancel your subscription at the moment when you think, "I don't want to watch it anymore." You can watch until the next billing date, so it's safe to complete the cancellation process as soon as possible.

According to Netflix official help, it is recommended to cancel at least two days before the next billing date. Please cancel your subscription immediately after the WBC final (March 18th) so that you don't accidentally forget and get billed for the next month.

How to check if the contract has been canceled

If the "Resume Membership" button is displayed on your account page after cancellation, the cancellation has been completed successfully. If this button does not appear and "Cancel membership" is still displayed, the cancellation has not been completed and you will need to perform the procedure again.

Be careful if you registered through Apple

If you subscribe to Netflix on your iPhone's App Store (via Apple), you cannot cancel your subscription from the Netflix official website. You need to cancel your iPhone by going to Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Netflix → Cancel Subscription.

FAQ

Is there a way to watch WBC 2026 for free?

Unfortunately, there is no way to watch video streaming for free. Exclusively distributed by Netflix, free trial is not available as of March 2026. The cheapest option is Standard with ads (890 yen per month, 498 yen for the first month with campaign). You can listen to Nippon Broadcasting System's radio broadcasts for free.

Can I watch WBC matches on my smartphone?

Yes, you can watch all matches on your smartphone's Netflix app. You can watch using mobile communication even without a Wi-Fi environment, but since live streaming uses a considerable amount of data, we recommend watching in a Wi-Fi environment or using a plan with unlimited data.

What happens if I forget to cancel my Netflix subscription?

If you do not cancel, you will be automatically charged the monthly fee from the next month onwards. There is no pro-rated calculation, so please cancel your contract as soon as you finish WBC. Even if you cancel, you will be able to watch until the next billing date, so there is no loss.

How long can I watch missed WBC broadcasts?

Netflix has not clearly announced when the missed viewing service will end, but we recommend checking out the games you are interested in as soon as possible before canceling your subscription. After canceling your subscription, you will no longer be able to watch anything.