Taipei: As Taiwan prepares to compete in the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier (WBCQ) starting Friday, live viewing parties for Team Taiwan's games will be held at various locations across the island over the next few days. Taiwan is set to face Spain, South Africa, and Nicaragua from Friday to Sunday, with each game starting at 7 p.m.
According to Focus Taiwan, two qualification spots are available in this four-team group. One will be awarded to the team with the best record after the first three games, while the second- and third-placed teams will compete in a do-or-die match at 7 p.m. next Tuesday for the final berth. Meanwhile, China, Germany, Brazil, and Colombia will compete for the remaining two slots in the 2026 WBC from March 2-6 (U.S. time).
In the 2023 WBC group stage, Taiwan finished with a 2-2 record, tying with three other teams in Pool A. However, due to tournament rules that factor in runs scored and conceded, Taiwan was placed last and must now participate in the qualifier for the 2026 edition.
A list of major outdoor viewing parties for Team Taiwan's games has been compiled. In Taipei, events will be held at the Taipei Performing Arts Center from Friday to Sunday at 7 p.m., offering free cheering sticks and small national flags. New Taipei will host gatherings at the New Taipei City Hall Square during the same dates and times, featuring free food vouchers, cheering sticks, and limited raffle tickets.
In Taichung, fans can gather at the Taichung City Hall Square on Saturday and Sunday, and next Tuesday if necessary, with free limited popcorn available. Tainan offers two locations: Tainan Municipal Baseball Stadium and Nanying Green Heart Park, both providing free towels and additional vouchers for fried sweet potato balls at the stadium.
Kaohsiung's National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) will also host events from Friday to Sunday, while Keelung's We R will welcome fans on Saturday and Sunday. Hsinchu City's Railway Station Square will offer free cheering sticks, steamed buns, and beverages from Friday to Sunday, and next Tuesday if required.
Changhua County's Art Museum Square and Yunlin County's Douliu Pengshu Forest Park and Huwei Yuanhuan Parking Lot will hold events, with the latter starting at 6:45 p.m. Chiayi County's Gaia Manor and Chiayi City's Zhongzheng Park will host from Friday to Sunday, with Chiayi City also open next Tuesday if needed.
In Yilan County, fans can gather at Yilan Style Square, while Hualien County will host at the Far Eastern Department Store's Chienlin Square, where attendees wearing baseball-related clothing or accessories will receive limited free snacks.