So, you're trying to figure out the mlb tokyo series dates and why everyone is still buzzing about those two days in March. Honestly, if you weren't glued to a screen at 3:00 AM on a Tuesday, you missed one of the most surreal moments in baseball history.
It wasn't just another international gimmick. It was the homecoming of the century.
The 2025 MLB Tokyo Series, presented by Guggenheim, officially took place on March 18 and March 19, 2025. These weren't exhibition games (though those happened too); these were the official Opening Day matchups for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. They counted. And they were loud.
The Core Schedule: MLB Tokyo Series Dates and Times
If you were looking at a calendar back then, the "real" games were just the tip of the iceberg. The whole event took over Tokyo for nearly a week. Here is how the actual mlb tokyo series dates broke down for the regular season openers at the Tokyo Dome:
- Game 1: Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
- Game 2: Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Both games started at 7:10 p.m. JST (Japan Standard Time). For fans back in the States, that meant a brutal wake-up call. We're talking 6:10 a.m. ET or a sleep-depriving 3:10 a.m. PT.
But before the real fireworks started, there were exhibition games on March 15 and 16. The Dodgers and Cubs didn't just play each other; they took on the NPB’s finest—the Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants. It’s kinda crazy when you think about it: the Tigers actually beat both the Dodgers and the Cubs in those exhibitions. Imagine being a MLB star and getting humbled in front of 40,000 screaming fans in a different time zone.
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Why These Dates Flipped the Script
Most people assume these international series are just about "growing the game." Sure, that’s the corporate line. But this specific window in March was chosen because it was the first time MLB could realistically put Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shota Imanaga on the same field in Japan as Major Leaguers.
The pitching matchups were basically a fever dream for Japanese fans.
On March 18, we saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off against Shota Imanaga. That was the first time ever that two Japanese-born pitchers started against each other on MLB Opening Day. Any venue. Anywhere. Ever.
Then came March 19. That was the day Roki Sasaki made his official MLB debut for the Dodgers. People had been waiting years for "The Monster of the Reiwa" to make the jump, and he did it on home soil against the Cubs' Justin Steele.
The Venue: More Than Just a Stadium
Everything happened at the Tokyo Dome. It’s basically the Madison Square Garden of Japanese baseball. While the capacity is around 42,000, it felt like double that. The 2025 series set records for merchandise sales—surpassing every other international event and even All-Star Games.
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If you were trying to get tickets, you basically had to win a lottery or know a guy. They were sold out months in advance. No same-day sales. No luck at the gate.
Watching the Games (And the Time Zone Struggle)
If you missed the live window because you couldn't handle the 3 a.m. start, the broadcasts were everywhere.
Fox handled the opener on March 18. FS1 took the second game on March 19. If you were in LA or Chicago, you had SportsNet LA or Marquee. Honestly, the most interesting part was the viewership in Japan. The Dodgers' exhibition against the Yomiuri Giants alone drew 18 million viewers. That’s more people than live in the entire state of Pennsylvania.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Series
There’s this misconception that the Tokyo Series is just a vacation for the players. It’s actually a logistical nightmare.
The Dodgers and Cubs had to fly halfway across the world, play high-intensity games, fly back, and then finish Spring Training. If you look at the schedule, they were back in the U.S. playing exhibition games by March 23. The "domestic" Opening Day for the rest of the league didn't happen until March 27.
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That gap is weird. It creates this "split season" feel where two teams are already 1-1 or 2-0 while everyone else is still hitting off a tee in Arizona.
Actionable Insights for Future Series
If MLB heads back to Tokyo (which they will, given the 250,000+ total attendance across the six games including exhibitions), keep these things in mind:
- Book the Hotel Early: If you're planning to travel for a future series, the Bunkyo area near the Tokyo Dome fills up the second the dates are leaked.
- Trust the Lottery: Ticket sales in Japan usually go through a lottery system (like Lawson Ticket or e-plus). You don't just "buy" them on a whim.
- The Fan Fest is Worth It: In 2025, the Fan Fest at Tokyo Skytree Town was actually free. You could see the World Series trophy and eat "ballpark food" without needing a game ticket.
- Check the Roster: International series often allow a 31-man travel roster, but only 26 players are active for the actual games. Don't be surprised if your favorite middle reliever stays in the dugout.
The mlb tokyo series dates in 2025 didn't just mark the start of a season; they marked the moment Japanese baseball stars officially became the face of the American league. Whether you watched it at sunrise or caught the highlights later, it changed the gravity of the sport.
To prepare for the next international cycle, keep an eye on the official MLB World Tour announcements, which typically drop 6 to 9 months before the first pitch. If you are looking to catch replays or specific player stats from those March games, the MLB.TV archive holds the full broadcast with original Japanese commentary options.