The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament featuring many of the world’s best players. The 2023 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place from March 8 to 21, 2023. Games will be played in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. With the tournament just a few months away, many fans are wondering if World Baseball Classic tickets are sold out.
When do World Baseball Classic tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the 2023 World Baseball Classic went on sale to the general public in waves starting in September 2022. The first window was a presale for Mastercard holders from September 7-8. Tickets then went on sale to the general public on September 9. Additional batches of tickets have continued to be released in the following weeks and months leading up to the start of the tournament.
The tournament organizers strategically release tickets in phases, holding some inventory to release closer to the event. This allows them to gauge demand and prevent immediately selling out. It also provides fans multiple opportunities to purchase tickets even if they missed an earlier sale window.
Which games still have tickets available?
As of October 2022, many World Baseball Classic games still have tickets available for purchase. The tournament is not sold out yet, though high-demand games and sessions are filling up quickly.
Some of the most in-demand games like USA vs Mexico and potential Japan vs Dominican Republic matchups may sell out soon. But other pool play games and first round tournaments are still widely available.
Here is a table showing some of the host cities and ticket availability as of October 2022:
City | Pool | Sample Matchup | Ticket Availability |
---|---|---|---|
Phoenix | A | Mexico vs Colombia | Good availability |
Tokyo | B | Japan vs China | Selling fast |
Miami | C | USA vs Canada | Limited availability |
As shown in the table, non-marquee matchups like Mexico vs Colombia still have ample ticket availability. But high-demand games like USA vs Canada already have limited inventory left.
When will World Baseball Classic tickets sell out?
It’s likely that many of the most popular World Baseball Classic games will sell out in the coming weeks and months leading up to the start of the tournament. Games featuring the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Japan, South Korea, and the USA national teams will see the highest demand.
The semifinals and championship round matches at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles will also sell out very quickly once tickets go on sale.
While some games will soon be sold out, there will still be opportunities to purchase tickets to early round games and matchups not featuring favorites like the USA and Japan. Last minute ticket releases are also likely as the event approaches.
Factors driving World Baseball Classic ticket demand
Several factors are contributing to the high interest and demand for World Baseball Classic tickets:
Star-studded rosters
The World Baseball Classic allows players to represent their home countries. This results in star-studded rosters full of MLB All-Stars and superstars. Fans are excited to see these players match up in an international setting outside the MLB season.
Some notable names include Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve, Nolan Arenado, Shohei Ohtani, Carlos Correa, Julio Rodriguez and more. The chance to see so many greats on one stage drives big ticket demand.
Patriotic pride
Unlike exhibitions, the World Baseball Classic has national pride on the line. Fans take pride in rooting for their home country against international competition. Cities with strong cultural ties like Miami and Phoenix will be especially excited to host WBC games.
Rare opportunity
The World Baseball Classic only takes place once every four years. So this is a rare chance for fans to see elite talent in competitive international baseball. The relative scarcity compared to the annual MLB season makes these events more special and drives demand.
Strong markets
The World Baseball Classic is hosted in proven MLB markets like Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. These are some of baseball’s strongest fanbases, ensuring enthusiastic demand. Games in Puerto Rico will also see a passionate crowd.
Timing
Taking place in March, the World Baseball Classic coincides with MLB spring training and precedes the April start to the MLB season. This timing is perfect to generate hype and satisfy fans eagerly awaiting the return of baseball action.
When and where to buy World Baseball Classic tickets
If you want to attend the World Baseball Classic, here are some tips on finding available tickets:
Purchase early
Buy as soon as possible for the best ticket selection and before popular matchups sell out. Sign up for presale windows and jump on new ticket releases.
Lower demand games
Focus on first round games not involving favorites like USA and Dominican Republic. These will have more ample inventory.
Weekday games
Weekday games will be less popular than weekend dates. So target midweek matches.
Aftermarket platforms
If a game you want is sold out, check secondary marketplaces like StubHub which may have inflated but available inventory.
Last minute
More ticket batches will be released over the next few months. Check back often even if currently sold out.
Authorized seller
Make sure to buy from the official World Baseball Classic website or authorized retailer like Ticketmaster to avoid fraud. Avoid unofficial resellers.
Here is a summary table of tips for finding available tickets:
Strategy | Details |
---|---|
Buy early | Purchase as soon as tickets go on sale |
Lower demand games | Target matchups not involving favorites |
Weekday games | Weekdays will be less popular than weekends |
Aftermarket platforms | StubHub may have inflated prices for sold out games |
Last minute | Check back often for new releases |
Authorized seller | Only buy from official sources |
Conclusion
In summary, while some World Baseball Classic games are beginning to sell out quickly, there are still many opportunities to purchase tickets. Acting early, targeting lower demand matchups, and checking back often can help secure a seat. With star-studded rosters and national pride on the line, demand for the World Baseball Classic will remain high, so procrastinating may mean getting shut out. Purchase soon for the best opportunity to experience the excitement of the World Baseball Classic live when it returns in March 2023.