2026 World Baseball Classic Bracket Challenge (“Contest”) Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ALL DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION AND PARTICIPANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT. TRAVEL NOT INCLUDED.

The Grand Prize will only be awarded if an eligible entrant receives the Max Score, as determined by Sponsor in accordance with these Official Rules.

1) Introduction:

The object of the Contest is to predict the outcomes of designated games and rounds of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, including Pool Play and the knockout rounds. To participate, you must submit an entry via the Contest Page or App (as defined below), as described below. Your goal is to use your skill and baseball knowledge to predict the winners of each pool of the World Baseball Classic. This Contest is subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Void in the Province of Quebec and where prohibited or restricted by law, rule, or regulation.

By participating in the Contest, you accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor which shall be final and binding in all respects.

2) Eligibility:

The Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States (including its commonwealths, territories, and possessions) and Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec) who, as of the time of entry, have a valid email address and are at least eighteen (18) years of age and the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence if residing in the United States and at least nineteen (19) years of age if residing in Canada, and not otherwise ineligible per the terms of this Section 2. Employees, officers, and directors and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and any person residing in their same households (whether or not related) of the MLB Entities (defined below), teamDigital Promotions, Inc. (“Administrator”), EssilorLuxottica SA (“Essilor”), any commercial sponsors of the Contest, and each of their respective parents, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, licensees, distributors, dealers, retailers, printers, advertising and promotion agencies, and any other entity associated with the Contest (collectively, “Promotion Parties”), are not eligible to enter or win a prize. The "MLB Entities" shall mean MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (“Sponsor”), the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball ("BOC"), its Bureaus, Committees, Subcommittees and Councils, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., The MLB Network, LLC, the Major League Baseball Clubs ("Clubs"), each of their parent, subsidiary, affiliated and related entities, any entity which, now or in the future, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Clubs or the BOC, and the owners, general and limited partners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, and agents of the foregoing entities. Excluded individuals may be able to participate in the Contest solely for entertainment purposes (i.e., complete a bracket), but are not eligible to receive any prize. Sponsor will have the right, in its discretion, to require proof of identity in a form acceptable to Sponsor (for example, government-issued photo identification) for purposes of verifying eligibility. Failure to provide such proof to the satisfaction of Sponsor in a timely manner may result in disqualification.

3) Entry Period; Entry Limit:

For purposes of this Contest, the “2026 World Baseball Classic” shall mean, collectively, the World Baseball Classic Pool Play rounds (Pools A, B, C, and D), the Quarterfinal round, the Semifinal round, and the Championship Game.

The Contest entry period begins at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time ("ET") on February 24, 2026, and ends 12:00 p.m. ET on March 4, 2026, but subject to change (the "Entry Period"). Online entry only. No other method of entry will be accepted. Limit one (1) entry/bracket per person and per email address. If you revise or re-submit your entry during the Entry Period, the entry recorded nearest to the close of the Entry Period will be considered your one (1) valid entry. In other words, your last entry recorded prior to the close of the Entry Period will be your only valid entry for the Contest; any earlier entry submitted by you will be considered void. No entry may be revised after the close of the Entry Period.

4) Contest Entry:

To enter, you must (a) be a registered user of MLB.com and (b) submit an entry at worldbaseballclassic.com/bracket (the “Contest Page”) or via the MLB Play mobile app (“App”). On the Contest Page or in the App, click on the banners, buttons, and/or links for this Contest and then complete and submit your entry as further described in Section 5 below. You will need to log-in to your MLB.com account in order to submit your entry. By fully completing and submitting all information required, including your date of birth, and confirming your agreement to these Official Rules, you will be entered into the Contest. Entrants to the Contest may be given the option to receive (a) commercial emails from MLB, Essilor, their affiliates and/or partners and/or (b) mobile text messages and updates from MLB; however, eligibility to participate in the Contest is not dependent upon entrant's consent to receive such emails and/or mobile text messages and updates and consenting to receive such emails and/or mobile text messages and updates will not impact any entrant's opportunity to win. Entrants that opt-in to receive commercial emails from Essilor agree to have their first name, last name, and email address securely shared with Essilor, and which will be treated in a manner consistent with Essilor’s Privacy Policy (accessible at https://www.essilor.com/us-en/privacy-policy/).

MLB.com account and Contest entry are both free. Data and usage rates may apply to download, installation, and use of the App or of a mobile phone or other web-enabled device; check with your service provider for details on these and other charges. Wireless service is not available in all areas. Throughout the Contest, Sponsor may release updates to the App and notify you of the availability of such updates via in-App messaging or other means. Be sure to install these updates to participate in this Contest via the App. If you do not install updates to the App when they are available, you may not be able to participate via the App. Incomplete entries are void. Entries generated by script, macro, or other automated means or utilizing any other method or means which, in Sponsor's sole discretion, impacts the integrity of the Contest or is in violation of these Official Rules (including with the intent to surpass the entry limit) are void and users who submit any such voided entries may be disqualified. Participants are responsible for ensuring all their contact information is up-to-date and accurate.

5) Making Predictions; Filling out Your Bracket:

You must complete an online bracket by selecting, for each designated round of the World Baseball Classic, the teams you predict will advance through the World Baseball Classic and ultimately win the Championship and answer three (3) tiebreaker questions (as shown below).

Each World Baseball Classic Pool matchup and knockout round game will be posted on the Contest Page and within the App after all participating teams have been confirmed. Follow the instructions provided to select the teams that you think will advance from each Pool, win each knockout round matchup, and win the Championship Game within the bracket.

Tiebreaker Questions

In addition to filling out your bracket, you must answer each of the following three (3) tiebreaker questions (the “Tiebreakers”):

1. Tiebreaker 1: How many home runs will be hit by all players during the World Baseball Classic?
2. Tiebreaker 2: How many total runs will be scored by all teams during the World Baseball Classic?
3. Tiebreaker 3: How many total runs will be scored in the World Baseball Classic Final game?

Note: Only home runs and runs officially scored by MLB as home runs and runs will be counted for purposes of the Contest.

6) Scoring:

Your entry will be scored and receive points as follows, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion based on official MLB results:

The maximum number of points an entry may receive is two hundred thirty (230) points ("Max Score").

The eligible entrant who achieves the Max Score based on the results of his/her entry, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion based on official results, will be deemed the official winner of the Contest (the "Grand Prize Winner"), subject to verification of eligibility and full compliance with the terms of these Official Rules. IF NO ELIGIBLE ENTRANT ACHIEVES THE MAX SCORE IN THE CONTEST, THE GRAND PRIZE WILL NOT BE AWARDED. In the event of a tie where multiple entrants achieve the Max Score, the Tiebreakers will be used to determine one (1) Grand Prize Winner, as detailed below.

Tiebreakers

In the event of a tie for the Grand Prize, the Tiebreakers will be applied, as follows:

1. Tiebreaker 1 will be applied first. The entrant whose prediction is closest to the actual number of total home runs hit by all players during the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be deemed the winner of Tiebreaker 1 and, accordingly, the Grand Prize. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not matter whether the prediction is above or below the actual total number of home runs hit. For example, if 100 home runs are hit during the World Baseball Classic, and one tied entrant predicted 98 home runs and another tied entrant predicted 101 home runs, the entrant who predicted 101 home runs would be deemed the winner of Tiebreaker 1.
2. If there is still a tie after Tiebreaker 1 is applied, Tiebreaker 2 will be applied. The entrant whose prediction is closest to the actual total number of runs scored by all teams combined during the World Baseball Classic will be deemed the winner of Tiebreaker 2 and, accordingly, the Grand Prize. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not matter whether the prediction is above or below the actual total number of runs scored.
3. If a tie still remains after Tiebreakers 1 and 2 are applied, Tiebreaker 3 will be applied. The entrant whose prediction is closest to the actual total number of runs scored by both teams combined in the Championship Game of the World Baseball Classic will be deemed the winner of Tiebreaker 3 and, accordingly, the Grand Prize. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not matter whether the prediction is above or below the actual total number of runs scored in the Championship Game.
4. In the event that the tie is still not broken after applying all three (3) Tiebreakers, the Grand Prize will be divided evenly among all among all tied, eligible entrants.

7) Grand Prize; Grand Prize Terms:

The Grand Prize Winner, if awarded, will receive i) $5,000 USD in the form of a check; ii) four (4) tickets to a 2026 regular season MLB game of winner’s choice (subject to availability and blackout dates); and iii) one (1) $500 USD MLBShop.com gift card (the "Grand Prize"). Check portion of prize will be made payable to the person named in the Grand Prize Winner's entry. Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") of the Grand Prize: ($7,500 USD). All Grand Prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion. IN NO EVENT WILL MORE THAN ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE BE AWARDED. TRANSPORTATION AND LODGING NOT INCLUDED.

GRAND PRIZE WILL ONLY BE AWARDED IF AN ELIGIBLE ENTRANT ACHIEVES THE MAX SCORE, AS DETERMINED BY SPONSOR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

Grand Prize Winner is fully responsible for any and all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local taxes (including income and withholding taxes). All costs and expenses associated with Grand Prize acceptance and use which are not specified herein as being provided are the sole responsibility of the Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize is non-transferable and non-assignable. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the Grand Prize (or any portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value at its sole and absolute discretion.

For Game Tickets: Use of any Major League Baseball game/event/exhibition ticket is subject to the standard terms, conditions, and health and safety policies applicable to the ticket; see mlb.com/ticketback for details. Seat locations at the game/event/exhibition and, unless otherwise stated in the prize description, exact game/event/exhibition date shall be determined in the sole discretion of Sponsor. Winner’s guest(s) must be of legal age of majority in their jurisdiction(s) of residence unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Major League Baseball game/event/exhibition dates and times are determined in the sole discretion of the BOC and/or the applicable Club and may be subject to change. The terms and conditions of the tickets awarded as part of the prize will govern in the event a legal game/event/exhibition, as defined by Major League Baseball, is not played or held due to weather conditions, an act of God, an act of terrorism, civil disturbance, or any other reason. Winner and their guest(s) agree to comply with all applicable ballpark and venue regulations in connection with the prize. Sponsor and the other MLB Entities reserve the right to remove or to deny entry to the winner and/or their guest(s) who engage in a non-sportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person at the game/event/exhibition. Released Parties (as defined below) will not be responsible for weather conditions; acts of God; acts of terrorism; civil disturbances; local, state, or federal regulation, order, or policy; work stoppage; epidemic, pandemic, or any other issue concerning public health or safety; or any other event outside of their control that may cause the cancellation or postponement of any Major League Baseball game/event/exhibition. Major League Baseball game/event/exhibition tickets awarded as prizes may not be resold, offered for resale, or used for any commercial or promotional purpose whatsoever. Any such resale or commercial or promotional use may result in disqualification and prize forfeiture, and may invalidate the license granted by the game/event/exhibition ticket.

For MLBShop.com Gift Card: MLBShop.com e-gift cards/codes are subject to the following terms and conditions: Valid only at MLBShop.com. Except where required by law, cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent, returned, reproduced, modified, sold, traded, refunded or replaced if lost or stolen. Not valid for any other gift cards, codes or e-gift cards or on previous purchases or returns. No cash back unless required by law. If the value of your purchase exceeds the available gift card/e-gift card balance, you must pay the excess at the time of purchase. Any unused amount will be applied when you re-enter your gift card/e-gift card during your next purchase. All purchases are subject to the MLBShop.com Terms of Use, which may change at any time. To check your gift card balance, please visit MLBShop.com/GChelp. Void where prohibited. Gift cards/e-gift cards are issued by Fanatics Retail Group Fulfillment, LLC.

8) Prize Notification:

The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone (in Sponsor's discretion) and may (in Sponsor's discretion) be confirmed by postal mail, return receipt (the "Prize Notification"). In the event that the potential winner does not respond to any such Prize Notification within five (5) days of the date of issuance or declines the prize for any reason, a disqualification will result and the prize will be forfeited and, if there is any runner-up whose entry also scored the Max Score but lost the tiebreaker(s), awarded to such runner-up. The potential winner will be required to submit his/her valid social security number and/or other identification to Sponsor and will be required to execute, have notarized and return an Affidavit of Eligibility (or, if a resident of Canada, a declaration) and Release of Liability and, unless prohibited by law, Publicity within five (5) days of the date of issuance. In the case of Canadian residents, the potential winner will be required to answer correctly, without assistance of any kind (mechanical or otherwise), a time limited mathematical skill testing question which will be administered by Sponsor by telephone at a mutually agreeable time. Except where legally prohibited, Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a background check on any potential winner and to disqualify any potential winner if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that awarding the Grand Prize to such potential winner may reflect negatively on MLB or any of the Released Parties (as defined below). Sponsor is under no obligation to disclose the results of any background check with the potential winner. Failure to submit any identification required by Sponsor, to respond to the Prize Notification or return any required documents within the specified time period, noncompliance with these Official Rules, the return of any prize or Prize Notification as undeliverable, or the failure to pass the background check (if any) will result in disqualification and, in such event, the prize will be forfeited and, if there is any runner-up whose entry also scored the Max Score but lost the tiebreaker(s), awarded to such runner-up. If the potential winner is disqualified and there is no runner-up whose entry also scored the Max Score, the Grand Prize will not be awarded.

9) Publicity:

Except where prohibited by law, by participating in this Contest, each entrant grants permission to the Promotion Parties for the use of his/her name, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice, address (city and state), and prize information (if any) worldwide and in all forms of media worldwide, in perpetuity, without further compensation or notice, for any and all purposes, including promotional and advertising purposes and for inclusion on a winners list.

10) Contest Conditions:

By participating in this Contest, each entrant accepts and agrees (a) to be bound by these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements, the MLB website Privacy Policy (available at mlb.com/privacy) and Terms of Use (available at mlb.com/tou), and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects and (b) gives his/her express permission to be contacted by Sponsor and/or its representatives for administration purposes. Sponsor's computer will be the official clock. Each entrant also agrees to refrain from conduct or communications which may harm the image or reputation of Sponsor or the other Promotion Parties, as determined in Sponsor's sole discretion. No transfer, assignment, cash redemption, or substitution of the prize (or portion thereof) is permitted except by Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute the prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value as determined by Sponsor. MLB game dates and times are determined in the sole discretion of the BOC and/or the applicable Club and may be subject to change. The Promotion Parties, Apple, Inc., Essilor, and Fanatics, Inc. (collectively, “Released Parties”) are not responsible for lost, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled, late, delayed, undelivered, or misdirected entries, predictions, entries, transmissions, or email; theft, destruction, or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries or email; computer hardware or software malfunctions or failures or malfunctions of phones/mobile devices (including wireless phones/handsets or other wireless devices), phone lines, or telephone systems; interrupted or unavailable network, server, cable, satellite, Internet service provider, or other connections; any error, omission, interruption, defect, or delay in any transmission or communication; network traffic congestion or for any technical problem, including, but not limited to, any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile device related to or resulting from participation in this Contest; errors or ambiguity in these Official Rules, any Contest-related advertisements, or other materials; the selection or announcement of the potential winner(s) or the distribution of the prize; the cancellation, suspension, or preemption of MLB games, scoring tabulation, or timing errors; injuries or unavailability of MLB players; or other problems or errors of any kind whether mechanical, human, electronic, typographical, printing, or otherwise. Entrants are responsible for any charges of online or Internet service providers or wireless carriers. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any participant and void any his/her entry if Sponsor believes such participant has attempted to tamper with or impair the administration, security, fairness, or proper play of this Contest or is in violation of these Official Rules (including by submitting multiple entries) or the MLB website Terms of Use. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify, suspend, extend, terminate, or cancel this Contest (or any portion thereof) at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, to ensure the fairness and integrity of this Contest or in the event Sponsor is prevented from executing this Contest (or any portion thereof) as contemplated herein by any event beyond their control, including but not limited to: fire; flood; earthquake; explosion; public health epidemic or crisis; labor dispute or strike; act of God or public enemy; network or equipment failure; riot or civil disturbance; terrorist threat or activity; war (declared or undeclared); court order; or federal, state, or local government law, order, or regulation. Sponsor also reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to modify, suspend, extend, terminate, or cancel this Contest (or any portion thereof) should virus, bugs, unauthorized human intervention, or other causes or events corrupt administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper operation of this Contest.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR APP ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTEST IN ANY WAY, OR UNDERMINE THE CONTENT OR LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST, MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR AND ITS AGENTS WILL DISQUALIFY ANY PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT AND SPONSOR AND ITS AGENTS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) AND OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify these Official Rules for clarification purposes without materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Contest. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In the event of a dispute as to the identity or eligibility of any potential winner based on email address, the winning entry will be declared made by the Authorized Account Holder of the email address utilized at the time of entry, provided he/she is eligible according to these Official Rules. "Authorized Account Holder" is defined as the natural person to whom the applicable ISP or other organization (such as a business or educational institution) has assigned the email address for the domain associated with the submitted email address. In the event that this Contest is challenged by any legal or regulatory authority, Sponsor reserves the right to discontinue or modify this Contest, or to disqualify participants residing in the affected geographic areas. In such event, the Sponsor shall have no liability to any participants who are disqualified due to such action.

11) Arbitration; Class Action Waiver; Governing Law:

As a condition of entering this Contest, each participant agrees that (A) any and all disputes, claims, controversies or causes of action arising out of or relating to this Contest, or any prize awarded (each, a "Claim"), shall be (1) arbitrated on an individual basis only, and shall not be consolidated or joined with or in any arbitration or other proceeding involving a Claim of any other party, and (2) settled by binding arbitration in New York County, New York before a single arbitrator appointed by JAMS in accordance with its then governing rules and procedures, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof; and (B) under no circumstance will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. For New Jersey residents, the limitations set forth above are inapplicable where attorneys' fees, court costs, or other damages are mandated by statute. These Official Rules shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A, applicable to contracts entered into and performed exclusively in that State.

12) Privacy:

All information submitted by Contest participants is subject to, and will be treated in a manner consistent with, the MLB website Privacy Policy, accessible at mlb.com/privacy.

13) Winner Information:

For winner information (available after April 17, 2026), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: 2026 World Baseball Classic Bracket Challenge Winner List, MLB Advanced Media, L.P., Attn: Consumer Paid Content, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Attn: Promotions. Requests must be received by June 17, 2026.

14) Sponsor:

MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

This Contest is a skill contest designed to increase consumer awareness of and interest in MLB. This Contest may not be used for, or in connection with, any form of gambling.

© 2026 MLB Advanced Media, L.P.

Major League Baseball trademarks, service marks and copyrights are proprietary to the MLB Entities. All rights reserved.

This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Apple or Google.