Coming to Taiwan and wondering if you can watch your favorite sports events like world cup , World baseball classic ,Olympics etc with many expats and international students in Taipei. Don't worry ,Taiwan share house got you covered.
We are literally in the afterglow of one of the biggest weekends in Taiwan’s modern sports history. Yesterday’s nail-biting 5-4 extra-innings victory against South Korea at the Tokyo Dome has the entire country buzzing!
Currently it's Monday, March 9, 2026, and we’re all still buzzing from the World Baseball Classic weekend, it’s the perfect time to dig into the "origin story." To understand why everyone in your shared house was screaming at the TV yesterday, you have to look back over 100 years.
Baseball in Taiwan didn't start with a stadium; it started as a colonial import that eventually became a tool for national identity.
Why Taiwan is so obsessed with baseball and how the "watching culture" here is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Like every country on earth, the history of sports comes from whatever country who influences you the most. You think baseball in Taiwan is just a modern trend, think again. The reason Taiwan is currently ranked #2 in the world is due to a century-long "love affair" with the sport that began under very different circumstances. The sport came from the number #1 country in the world Japan, of course, came during a dark period in their history.
Baseball was brought to Taiwan by Japanese colonial administrators shortly after they arrived in 1895.
The First Teams: The very first official team was formed in 1906 at what is now in Taipei.
The "KANO" Miracle (1931): This is the most famous story in Taiwanese sports history. The Kagi (Chiayi) Agriculture and Forestry Team (known as KANO) shocked everyone by becoming the first multi-ethnic team (Japanese, Han Chinese, and Indigenous players) to make it to the finals of the prestigious Koshien Tournament in Japan. They lost the final, but they won the heart of the nation and proved that Taiwanese players could compete with the best.
After WWII, the U.S. military presence in Taiwan helped keep the sport alive, but it was the Little League teams that made it a "National Religion."
The Red Leaf Legend: In 1968, a team of Indigenous kids from Taitung—the Red Leaf Little League—defeated a world-champion Japanese team using stones for balls and sticks for bats.
Williamsport Dominance: Throughout the 70s, Taiwan became a global powerhouse, winning the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania almost every year. For a country facing political isolation at the time, these kids were more than athletes; they were heroes who put Taiwan on the map.
The Dark Years: In the 90's and 2000's, the professional league (CPBL) struggled with scandals that broke fans' hearts. For a while, stadiums were empty.
The 2024 Turning Point: Everything changed on November 24, 2024, when Team Taiwan shocked the world by defeating Japan 4-0 to win the Premier12 Championship. It was the first time Taiwan ever won a major senior-level world title.
2026 Status: Today, baseball isn't just a sport; it's a "National Treasure." The rise of stars like Yu Chang and the MVP performance of Chen Chieh-hsien have made every game a must-watch event.
If you walked through Xinyi District or passed by a 7-Eleven ,Hi-life , family mart when taiwan baseball was playing, you probably saw crowds of people huddled around screens, screaming "Go Team Taiwan!"
This wasn't just any game; it was the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Following Taiwan’s historic championship win at the 2024 Premier12, baseball has officially reached a fever pitch. But as a foreigner, you might wonder: What makes Taiwanese baseball so different?
In the West, baseball is often seen as a "quiet" sport. In Taiwan, it is a full-blown party.
The Cheerleaders are Idols: Unlike MLB, where the focus is solely on the players, Taiwanese professional baseball (CPBL) features highly choreographed cheerleader squads. They have their own theme songs, dance routines, and massive fanbases. They have big Instagram followers as well.
The "Thundersticks": You haven't experienced a game until you’ve spent nine innings banging plastic air-filled sticks together. The goal isn't just to watch; it's to create a "Wall of Sound."
Personalized Chants: Every single player on the national team has their own specific song and chant. By the 3rd inning, you'll find yourself shouting "An-da! An-da!" (Hit! Hit!) along with 20,000 strangers.
In light of the upcoming 2026 world cup and other major sports event like Olympics and tennis open tournaments, F1 grand pix , you can find many spaces that have live viewing parties. for example If you can’t get a ticket to the Taipei Dome for baseball, these are the top spots where the atmosphere is almost as good as being in the stands:
On Tap (Da’an): Dubbed "Taipei’s only real pub." It’s the go-to for football (soccer), rugby, and F1. They have multiple screens and a great expat community.
The Brass Monkey (Fuxing): A legendary spot for big international events. If there’s a World Cup or a WBC final, this place will be packed and electric.
Charlie’s Sports Bar: A more local favorite that is heavily focused on baseball. If you want to see the "cheerleader culture" fans in their natural habitat, go here.
The Rendezvous (American Club): Known for hosting massive WBC watch parties with big screens and a family-friendly vibe.
Hooters : known for their attractive staff, they have 2 locations in Taipei , one is located with a nice backdrop of Taipei 101 in Xinyi Sogo building .
One thing that makes Taiwan unique is Public Viewing. During the WBC this past weekend, the city government set up giant screens in Xinyi Shanti Plaza and even in Tainan’s Municipal Centers.
The Vibe: Hundreds of people standing together, banging thunder sticks, and performing synchronized chants. It feels like a music festival!
Tip: Look for the "Team Taiwan" pop-up shops nearby—they usually sell the best limited-edition 2026 jerseys and caps.
During global sports events like the FIFA world cup and NFL Superbowl and Euros and olympics certain large open areas like Maji square yuanshan station open plaza show games on giant screens for huge audiences .
The Vibe: Hundreds of young international foreigners and Taiwanese show up late night ,early morning to cheer on their countries with flags foods and friends. It feels like being in the stadium without the ticket!
In Taiwan, unless you have a decent house , a big flat screen television is hard to come by with streaming services that provide coverage. Living in a Taiwan Share House during the WBC is a massive advantage. While solo expats might be watching on a small laptop or on a small phone screen, our residents organized "Potluck Watch Parties" in the common rooms. Check out how our friends enjoy Netflix Taipei101 Skyscraper with Alex honnold.
Big shared spaces.Why watch alone when you can watch with the world? At Taiwan Share House, our common rooms become "mini-stadiums" during big events.
Cultural Exchange: We often have housemates from Japan, Korea, and the US all watching the same game. It turns a rivalry into a friendship (and usually a reason for a pizza party).
Expert Tips: Not sure how the rules work? Your Taiwanese housemates are usually happy to explain the "Infield Fly Rule" or teach you the specific dance moves for the cheerleaders.
Stay with us and you’ll never miss a game. We keep our residents updated on all the major cultural and sports festivals across the island, ensuring your Taiwan experience is a home run.
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