These were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) games to be played in Japan since the 2019 season opened in Japan.[5] MLB has a long history of playing games in Japan, dating back to 1931 when a team of American All-Stars toured the country. This was the sixth MLB season to open in Japan, following opening games in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019.[5] Several notable Japanese players participated in the series, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki for the Cubs.[6]
Broadcast and schedule
Exhibition games
Batting practice before the Dodgers vs Yomiuri Giants exhibition gameInterior of Tokyo Dome decorated for the series
The Dodgers and Cubs played exhibition games against two Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams, the Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants, on March 15 and 16.[7] These exhibition games gave fans an opportunity to see some of the best players from both leagues compete against each other. The exhibitions were aired regionally by SportsNet LA in Los Angeles and Marquee Sports Network in Chicago.[8][9] Rights in Japan were held by Prime Video Japan.[10] In these four games, the Tigers defeated both the Dodgers and Cubs, while the Dodgers and Cubs each defeated the Giants.
This was the Dodgers' fourth overseas appearance and their first in Japan. The team previously played in 2014 in Sydney, Australia; in 2018 in Monterey, Mexico; and 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.[23]
This was the Cubs' third overseas appearance and second in Japan. The Cubs previously played in Tokyo in 2000 and in London in 2023.[24][23]
Japanese musician Yoshiki performed the U.S. and Japanese national anthems at the Tokyo Series opening ceremony.[25][26] For the second opening ceremony, Japanese girl group Little Glee Monster performed the U.S. and Japanese national anthems.[27]
Sponsors and partners
Official pop-up shop at Miyashita Park in the Shibuya section of TokyoTobu Railway Ryōmō Line with an MLB-themed livery and logo.
Ito En, the Japanese drinks company that manufactures Ohtani's favorite drink (Oi Ocha, an unsweetened green tea), sponsored the series as part of its ongoing global partnership with Ohtani, the Dodgers, and MLB.[33][34]Asahi Beer has a global partnership with MLB and its "Super Dry" lager was the official beer of the series.[35]
The Pokémon Company also collaborated with MLB.[39] Prior to the first game, a video montage was played featuring "monsters" (notable historical players) of previous MLB games in Japan as well as Japanese players in MLB.[39]Pikachu characters were on the field during player introductions.[39]
Tobu Railway decorated a 200 series train, used for its Ryōmō limited express service, in MLB's colors (red, white, and blue) ahead of the series and for the remainder of the year.[40]
Reception
The Tokyo Series broke several records and became the largest standalone international event in Major League Baseball's history.[41] The event averaged over 25 million viewers across platforms.[41]Fanatics reported that it generated over $40 million in merchandise and trading card sales, a company record for a special event.[42] Sales beat the prior record holder, the 2024 London Series, by 320%.[43]
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