Shohei Ohtani shares heartfelt message to fans as he wraps 2025 season, confirms WBC return

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani teased about his participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic 2026 edition, where he'll look to defend his Team Japan's defending champions status.

On Monday, Ohtani posted several photos following his back-to-back World Series triumph with the Dodgers. Ohtani, who won his fourth MVP, shared photos from the 2023 WBC edition where Japan defeated USA to win the trophy. Ohtani won the MVP award in that tournament.

"Thank you to all the fans for another great season. I'll train hard and look forward to seeing you all next year," Ohtani wrote in the caption.

The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5 to March 17, 2026, across four host cities. Tokyo Dome (Tokyo, Japan) will host Pool C games from March 5-10. Similarly, the following cities will schedule:

• Hiram Bithorn Stadium (San Juan, Puerto Rico): Pool A, March 6-11
• Daikin Park (Houston, Texas, USA): Pool B, March 6-11
• loanDepot Park (Miami, Florida, USA): Pool D & final rounds, including semis/finals March 15-17

20 teams will participate, with five teams in each pool. The top two from each pool will advance to the single-elimination bracket.

Shohei Ohtani's message to Dodgers fans after winning back-to-back World Series

Shohei Ohtani had a great season in 2025, which ended with the Dodgers defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in World Series Game 7 at Rogers Center. This was Ohtani's second straight Fall Classic win after coming to the Dodgers on a whopping 10-year, $700 million deal.

In the championship parade, Ohtani addressed the Dodgers fans directly for the first time in English as he added that he is motivated to win another ring next year.

“Hello," Ohtani said in English. "I want to say I’m so proud of this team and I want to say you guys are the greatest fans in the world. I’m ready to get another ring next year.”

Ohtani finished the year, winning another unanimous win, adding to his total of four. He received all 30 first-place votes over runner-up and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.