The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Tokyo Series, held on March 18 and 19 at Tokyo Dome, set unprecedented records in viewership, merchandise sales, and attendance, underscoring baseball's expanding global appeal.

The opening game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs attracted an average of over 25 million viewers in Japan, surpassing the previous record of 18.7 million set during the 2024 Seoul Series. The two-game series averaged more than 24 million viewers, making it the most-watched MLB series ever in Japan.

Merchandise sales during the series exceeded previous records by 320%, with Fanatics reporting $40 million in sales, marking it as the company's best-selling special event. Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers jersey and the Tokyo Series patch were the most popular items sold.

The Tokyo Dome hosted six games, including four exhibition games and the two regular-season games, drawing capacity crowds with a total attendance of 252,795. The associated Fan Fest attracted over 450,000 visitors, making it the most-visited MLB fan festival to date.

The series featured a significant presence of Japanese players:

• Los Angeles Dodgers:
• Shohei Ohtani: Reigning National League MVP, Ohtani contributed significantly with two hits and two runs in the opening game and hit a home run in the second game.
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Starting pitcher in the first game, Yamamoto secured the win for the Dodgers.

• Roki Sasaki: Made his MLB debut in the second game, showing promise despite control issues, finishing with five walks and three strikeouts.

• Chicago Cubs:

• Shota Imanaga: Started as pitcher in the opening game, marking the first all-Japanese pitching duel on opening day.
• Seiya Suzuki: Outfielder for the Cubs, Suzuki is from Arakawa, Tokyo, making Tokyo Dome his hometown stadium.

In the first game on March 18, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1. The Cubs initially led with a run in the third inning, but a pitching change in the fifth allowed the Dodgers to score three runs, eventually securing victory with another run in the ninth.

In the second game on March 19, the Dodgers secured a 6-3 victory, with Ohtani hitting a home run and Sasaki making his MLB debut.

The Tokyo Series underscored the growing influence and participation of Japanese players in MLB, enriching the international appeal of the sport. The event's success highlighted the strong baseball culture in Japan and the deepening ties between MLB and Japanese baseball.

This series was the first MLB season opener in Japan since 2019 and the sixth overall. The inclusion of five Japanese players was unprecedented, reflecting the increasing integration of Japanese talent into MLB.

The 2025 MLB Tokyo Series not only set new records but also reinforced baseball's role as a bridge between cultures, showcasing the sport's universal appeal and the deep connections between Japanese fans and Major League Baseball.