NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri) will sponsor the Japan National Baseball Team "Samurai Japan" as a Team Sponsor at the 2026 World Baseball Classic™ to be held from Thursday, March 5 to Tuesday, March 17.
-- The 2026 World Baseball Classic™ is an international tournament featuring 20 countries and regions.
Samurai Japan will play in First Round at Tokyo Dome,Quarterfinals and Championship Round (Semifinals and Finals) in Miami, USA. During the tournament, the NX group brand symbol will be displayed on the sides of helmets worn by players and inside stadiums, helping to energize the event and support Samurai Japan as they compete against the world's top teams in pursuit of a second consecutive championship.
[Samurai Japan Game Schedule]
<<Send-off Games / Warm-up Games>>
Samurai Japan Series (Send-off Games)
- Sunday, February 22 and Monday, February 23 (holiday), 2026
- vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki
- Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2026
- vs. Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya
Warm-up Games
- Monday, March 2, 2026
- vs. Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- vs. Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka
<<WBC Main Tournament>>
First Round (Tokyo Dome)
- Friday, March 6, 2026: vs. Chinese Taipei
- Saturday, March 7, 2026: vs. Korea
- Sunday, March 8, 2026: vs. Australia
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026: vs. Czech Republic
Quarterfinals（Miami / loanDepot park）
- Sunday, March 15, 2026
Championship Round (Miami/ loanDepot park)
- Monday, March 16 or Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Semifinals
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Finals
