Puerto Rico's team, Team Rubio, fought until the end, but Italy's squad held its 8-6 lead in the quarterfinal to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
For Puerto Rico, Willi Castro opened the game with a home run that energized the fans at Daikin Park in Houston. The Italians answered quickly with four runs in the first inning.
With the score at 8-2, Puerto Rico scored four runs in the eighth to pull within two of tying, but the score did not move again.
With Puerto Rico eliminated, the semifinal bracket now has three of its four teams set. On Friday, República Dominicana defeated Korea 10-0 by mercy rule, and the United States beat Canadá 5-3.
Italia will face on Monday the winner of Japón vs. Venezuela, who play Saturday night, March 14, at 9:00 p.m. The other semifinal, between República Dominicana and the United States, is Sunday at 8:00 p.m. The final is Tuesday the 17th. All games at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Below is the full schedule for the elimination round, with results and game times.
⚾ March 13 – 17, 2026 · Elimination round
2026 World Baseball Classic
Full schedule of quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. All times are Puerto Rico time.
Friday, March 13 — Quarterfinals
Quarterfinal 1
Final
🇩🇴
Rep. Dom.
10
FINAL
0
Korea
🇰🇷
✅ 7 innings · Mercy rule
loanDepot Park, Miami · FS2
Quarterfinal 2
Final
🇺🇸
USA
5
FINAL
3
Canadá
🇨🇦
✅ Final
Daikin Park, Houston · FOX
Saturday, March 14 — Quarterfinals
Quarterfinal 3
Final
🇵🇷
P.R.
6
FINAL
8
Italia
🇮🇹
✅ Final
Daikin Park, Houston · FS1
Quarterfinal 4
Final
🇻🇪
Venezuela
8
FINAL
5
Japón
🇯🇵
✅ Final
loanDepot Park, Miami · FOX
Sunday, March 15 — Semifinal 1
Semifinal 1
Tonight
🇩🇴
Rep. Dom.
VS
USA
🇺🇸
🕗 8:00 PM
loanDepot Park, Miami · FS1
Dominicana carries a perfect 5-0 record with 14 home runs in the tournament. Paul Skenes will start for USA.
Monday, March 16 — Semifinal 2
Semifinal 2
🇮🇹
Italia
VS
Venezuela
🇻🇪
🕗 8:00 PM
loanDepot Park, Miami · FS1
Italia (5-0) is looking for its first final. Venezuela eliminated Japón, the defending champion, and is reaching the semis for the first time since 2009.
Tuesday, March 17 — Final
World Baseball Classic Final
🏆
Winner SF1
VS
Winner SF2
🏆
🕗 8:00 PM
loanDepot Park, Miami · FOX
Game broadcasts
Television: All 47 games of the World Baseball Classic will be broadcast on WAPA Deportes in Puerto Rico, available on channels 4.2 and 4.3, and on ESPN in Latin America. In the United States, games will air on FOX Sports, FOX Deportes, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app.
Streaming app: Subscribers to Disney+, ESPN and Fubo TV will be able to watch all games live.
Where to watch the games:
Note: This list will be updated with more places where you can enjoy the atmosphere while watching the games.
You can watch Puerto Rico's game against Italia at El Garden. There will be TVs, air conditioning, a deck area and a good atmosphere for the game. You can reserve your spot by sending them a message on Instagram.
This entertainment center will host watch parties for all games from March 6 through 10, starting at 7:00 p.m. La Plaza Popular, outdoors, has large screens where you can watch the games at no cost with family or friends. During the game you can grab a cold Arena Medalla from the stand outside the restaurant, or have dinner before the game at the restaurants steps from the plaza, such as Lupe Reyes, Barullo or La Burguesía.
With its well-known motto, "La casa del triunfo boricua," this bar located in the popular Distrito T-Mobile has everything you need to cheer on your favorite team. The venue stands out for its multiple 30-foot LED screens, pool tables, dartboards, a karaoke area and two walls with beer taps.
This Rincón spot always runs happy hours during the peak seasons of popular sports. If you're looking for a place where Puerto Rican fans are just as fired up as you are while you have a beer or your drink of choice, add this sports bar to your list.
While you catch the World Baseball Classic games at their Caguas and Canóvanas locations, kids can keep busy in the gaming room, the bowling alley, or the go-kart track at K1 Speed. They also serve fast food such as wings, burgers, fries, pizza and assorted fritters for snacking.
Caguas: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. | Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Canóvanas: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
For a chinchorro (a casual roadside food and drink spot) atmosphere in the middle of the city, visit Chinchorreando en Hato Rey. There you can cheer on the Puerto Rican team while watching the game on any of its six large monitors with high-quality audio.
If you live on the west side, Aguadilla Rooftop will be screening the World Baseball Classic series from its rooftop. You can also take in its sweeping view of the Atlantic and its broad menu of creative dishes and cocktails.
Baseball-related art events:
Exhibition: ¿De qué madera estás hecho?
Date: (permanent exhibition)
Location: Casa Ramón Power y Giralt, calle Tetuán 155, Old San Juan
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
The exhibition ¿De qué madera estás hecho?, by the organization Para la Naturaleza, presents handcrafted pieces and baseball bats made from the wood of native trees that fell during Hurricane María. The show, conceived by engineer Ángel Colón, brings together sport, art and conservation, using reclaimed wood to create functional objects. It invites reflection on our relationship with nature and on how to rebuild with purpose after adversity.
Where to eat near Hiram Bithorn:
Restaurants you can visit with the family
This restaurant serves criollo dishes 24/7, for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. It is also a good place to meet up with friends or coworkers after a shift for a relaxed time with tropical drinks, beers and live music.
What's nearby: Roosevelt station on the Tren Urbano
At La Patria Restobar you'll find a varied menu ranging from mac-n-cheese, pastas and pizzas to a vegan menu and a selection of seasonal cocktails and mocktails. Its original dishes at friendly prices make it a good spot for an unpretentious lunch or dinner. You can also order from the restaurant through Pide Uva.
Spots with tapas and wine
In the mood for tapas and a wide selection of wines? Tinto y Blanco is your destination. Its generous menu covers cured meats and cheeses, montaditos, stuffed bites, croquetas, main dishes with meats, poultry and seafood, plus cocktails and beers. The place works well for dinner or for a bite before a concert.
What's nearby: Popular Center
For a group hangout atmosphere
This Mexican cantina has earned its place as a go-to hangout spot thanks to its margaritas and its wide selection of tacos, quesadillas and nachos. Round out your favorite dish with elotes, guacamole or pico de gallo. If you're planning to go out as a group, this spot is ideal, as it has several outdoor tables. Follow their social media to stay up to date on upcoming events.
This colmado-slash-bar is a go-to spot for pregaming or extending the night after a concert at the Choli. At the popular "24" you can enjoy bar food like burgers, wings, assorted fritters and house Puerto Rican food. If staying out late is your thing, this is one of the spots you should not overlook.
If you're looking for something sweet:
Treat yourself to a dozen donuts from Wood Doughnuts. Their creative menu includes toppings ranging from classic sweets to unexpected combinations: chocolate with bacon, Doritos with Nutella, or pieces of your favorite cereal. You can also place your order online through their website. They recently opened a location in Ponce, so stop by if you live in the southern area.
What's nearby: Hato Rey stop on the Tren Urbano
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
