WBC for HOU

Houston one of 4 cities worldwide to host 2026 World Baseball Classic

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Baseball fans from around the world will visit Minute Maid Park in 2026.

Courtesy of mlb.com

The Olympics of baseball is coming to Houston for the first time ever! The city will be one of the hosts of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic is the most prestigious event in international baseball, the equivalent to the FIFA World Cup or the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. The last time the tournament was held in 2023, 20 teams competed including newcomers the Czech Republic, Great Britain, and Nicaragua. Japan captured the title from the United States, who won their first championship in 2017.

“We are thrilled for Houston to have been chosen to host the World Baseball Classic,” said J. Kent Friedman, HCHSA Chairman of the Board. “When coupled with the FIFA World Cup, 2026 will demonstrate once again why Houston is one of the great sports cities not just in the U.S., but in the world. The thousands of fans that will be here for the WBC to cheer on their favorite country will have an incredible economic impact on the area and the Harris County — Houston Sports Authority is very pleased to welcome all of them to Minute Maid Park.”

The dates have not been released yet, but Houston will host the quarterfinals along with Miami, Florida. The final will happen in Miami. Tokyo, Japan and San Juan, Puerto Rico will also host games.

New Mayor John Whitmire was especially pleased to have Minute Maid Park chosen to hold the games.

“I am excited about Houston hosting the World Baseball Classic,” he said. “Having the teams and visitors in town will not just showcase Houston’s passion for the sport but also celebrate the diverse cultures from around the globe that unite under one love for the game. As the nation’s most diverse city, home to a truly global community, we are eager to demonstrate the unique experience Houston offers our domestic and international visitors. I appreciate all the people and organizations that came together to secure this event for Houston.”

The event is expected to bring thousands of baseball fans from around the world to Houston, as will the 2026 World Cup, which will host seven matches in the city.

The World Baseball Classic began in 2006 as the sport's only international tournament. It has been a fan favorite, as people get the chance to root for their country in an Olympics-style environment. Japan won the first tournament, defeating Cuba.

WNBA returns to H-Town

Tilman Fertitta pays record $300M to bring Houston Comets back home

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

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Houston will soon welcome the return of a beloved local sports franchise. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s company, Fertitta Entertainment, has reached an agreement to purchase WNBA franchise Connecticut Sun and relocate them to Houston as the Houston Comets.

Pending approval by the WNBA’s Board of Governors, the Houston Comets will begin playing at Toyota Center for the start of the 2027 WNBA season. The announcement confirms media reports of the deal that first circulated last week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but many outlets, including ESPN, report the price as a record-breaking $300 million. PaperCity was first to report the news.

“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to bring the Houston Comets back to this incredible city,” Rockets alternate governor Patrick Fertitta said in a statement. “Houston has a proud championship history in the WNBA, with banners from the Comets’ four historic championship seasons still hanging in the rafters of Toyota Center. We believe the time is right to begin the next great era of Comets basketball, and we look forward to working with the WNBA as we move through this process.”

As Fertitta notes, the Comets were one of the WNBA’s original franchises and won its first four championships from 1997-2000. The team disbanded in 2008. Currently, the WNBA has 13 teams with two more coming, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, that will bring the league to 15 when they begin play in May.

Fertitta Entertainment has launched houstoncomets.com as a source for news and information about the team’s revival. Fans may place a $99 deposit on a membership that will give them access to season tickets. WNBA Houston merchandise is also available.

“This is an exciting time for our organization as we welcome the WNBA back to the City of Houston and revive the legacy of the Comets,” president of business operations Gretchen Sheirr added. "The momentum and enthusiasm have been evident through the overwhelming interest from fans and the business community, all eager to support the return of this franchise. It is a true testament to the continued growth and investment in women’s sports, which deserve a place on the world’s biggest stages. We cannot wait for the Comets to begin their next chapter — reigniting the passion of their loyal fans while inspiring a new generation.”

Tilman Fertitta, currently the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, has a net worth of $11.7 billion, according to the recently released Forbes World Billionaires list. In addition to the Rockets, his extensive holdings include hospitality company Landry’s, Inc., the Golden Nugget casino chain, the Post Oak Hotel, and River Oaks District.

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