---
title: "2026 Japan Series Schedule and Home Stadiums by Game"
locale: en
category: general
category_name: "General"
translation_status: reviewed
license: cc_by
author: "Injoys Editorial Team"
source_url: https://injoys.com/en/articles/japan-series-2026-game-schedule-venues
published_at: 2026-10-03T06:12:07+09:00
---

# 2026 Japan Series Schedule and Home Stadiums by Game

> The 2026 Japan Series opens on October 24, with Game 7 on November 1 if needed. Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 are assigned to the Central League representative's home stadium, and Games 3 through 5 to the Pacific League representative's home stadium.

## Key Points

- Game 1 of the 2026 Japan Series is scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
- Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be held at the Central League representative's home stadium.
- Games 3, 4, and 5 are assigned to the Pacific League representative's home stadium.
- The first team to win four games takes the title, so Game 5 and later games may not be played.
- Bad weather and other factors may change the schedule, so check both the game number and the revised date.

The Japan Series 2026 (日本シリーズ2026) is scheduled to open on October 24. Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 are assigned to the Central League representative’s home stadium. Games 3 through 5 will be played at the Pacific League representative’s home stadium. Game 7 will be played on November 1 (Japan) if needed.

The game dates are based on NPB’s announcement of August 4, 2026.

## Tournament overview and key information

The SMBC Japan Series 2026 determines the champion of Japanese professional baseball. The winners of the two leagues’ Climax Series face each other. The participating teams are not determined by regular-season standings alone.

| Item | Information confirmed in the official announcement |
| --- | --- |
| Tournament name | SMBC Japan Series 2026 |
| Organizer | Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) |
| Special sponsor | SMBC |
| Matchup | The Central League and Pacific League Climax Series winners |
| Scheduled opening date | Saturday, October 24, 2026 |
| Scheduled Game 7 date | Sunday, November 1, 2026, if needed |
| Specific stadiums | Determined by the participating teams |
| Game start times | Check NPB’s subsequent announcements for each game |

The matchup section of NPB’s tournament page identifies the teams by their qualifications in each league. It does not confirm specific clubs or cities. Stadium assignments are available on the [NPB tournament page](https://npb.jp/nippons/2026/).

## Dates and home stadiums for Games 1 through 7

The 2026 schedule starts with two games at the Central League representative’s home stadium. Three games are then assigned to the Pacific League representative’s home stadium. If the series continues, it returns to the Central League representative’s home stadium.

| Game | Scheduled date in Japan | Stadium | Condition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Game 1 | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Central League representative’s home stadium | Opening game |
| Game 2 | Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Central League representative’s home stadium | Scheduled game |
| Game 3 | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Pacific League representative’s home stadium | Scheduled game |
| Game 4 | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Pacific League representative’s home stadium | Scheduled game |
| Game 5 | Thursday, October 29, 2026 | Pacific League representative’s home stadium | If no champion has been decided through Game 4 |
| Game 6 | Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Central League representative’s home stadium | If no champion has been decided through Game 5 |
| Game 7 | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | Central League representative’s home stadium | If no champion has been decided through Game 6 |

No games are scheduled for October 26 or October 30. Both dates fall between games assigned to different home stadiums. The dates and venues by league also appear in [NPB’s 2026 annual schedule](https://npb.jp/event/2026/).

## When are games after Game 4 played?

The series ends when a team reaches four wins. Not all seven games on the schedule will necessarily be played. The following table gives examples without ties.

| Wins through the preceding game | What happens next |
| --- | --- |
| After Game 4: 4 wins to 0 | Games 5, 6 and 7 are not played |
| After Game 4: 3 wins to 1 | Game 5 is played |
| After Game 4: 2 wins to 2 | Games 5 and 6 must be played |
| After Game 5: 4 wins to 1 | Games 6 and 7 are not played |
| After Game 6: 3 wins to 3 | Game 7 is played |

If there is a tie, the number of games and the teams’ combined win total will differ. In that case, the decision must be based on the actual win totals. Check the 2026 tournament regulations for details such as additional games.

## What to watch for

A key point in the schedule is when the home stadium changes. After Game 2, the series moves to the Pacific League representative’s home stadium. If it reaches Game 6, play returns to the Central League representative’s home stadium.

- The Central League representative plays the first two games at home.
- The Pacific League representative is assigned Games 3 through 5 at home.
- Games 6 and 7 are played at the Central League representative’s home stadium only if the series continues.
- The number of home games on the schedule may differ from the number actually played.

For example, the champion could be decided in Game 4. In that case, each team will have played two home games. The four games assigned to the Central League representative should not be read as the number that will actually be held.

## Comparing broadcast and in-person viewing options

For in-person attendance, check each club’s ticket sales terms. To watch on TV or online, check the tournament’s broadcast schedule. The NPB tournament page reviewed does not list schedules by broadcaster.

| Viewing method | Confirmed information or details to check | Where to check |
| --- | --- | --- |
| In person | Eligibility, game number, seat prices and who can buy tickets | Official ticket announcements from NPB and the relevant club |
| TV broadcast | Broadcaster and start time for each game | NPB’s subsequent announcements and broadcasters’ schedules |
| Online viewing | Whether the game is available, fees and viewing regions | The official broadcaster’s tournament information |

Advance ticket sales by a club do not mean its participation has been confirmed. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced a ticket lottery conditional on the team qualifying. The announcement was published on October 1, 2026.

The members’ lottery runs from October 1 at 10:00 to October 7 at 23:59 (October 7 at 23:59 in Japan and South Korea). Application times are based on Japan local time. The eligible games are Games 3, 4 and 5 if the Hawks qualify.

| Seat examples in this advance lottery | Announced price per ticket |
| --- | --- |
| Reserved outfield seat on the third-base side | 3,900 yen, including tax |
| B reserved seat on the third-base side | 4,900 yen, including tax |

These prices apply only to that club’s specific sales announcement. They cannot be applied to other stadiums or seats. Check the [Hawks’ official advance sales announcement](https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/news/detail/202601097393.html) for membership eligibility and ticket issuance terms.

## If the schedule changes, distinguish the date from the game number

A ticket for a postponed game may be used on a date different from the original one. The Hawks’ announcement says that if a game is postponed due to bad weather, the ticket remains valid for the same game number. Do not judge when a ticket can be used by the calendar date alone.

NPB’s tournament announcement of August 4, 2026, also explicitly states that changes are possible.

> ＊悪天候等により変更が生じる場合があります

This means changes may occur due to bad weather or other circumstances. The quoted document is [NPB’s announcement of the Japan Series 2026 special sponsor and campaign](https://npb.jp/news/detail/20260804_01.html).

If the schedule changes, check in this order:

1. Check the NPB tournament page for the new date of the relevant game number.
2. Check the host club’s announcement for the start time and entry information.
3. Check with the ticket seller for ticket validity terms and refund information.

A game that is not played because the champion has been decided is different from a rain postponement. Do not apply one club’s ticket rules to another stadium. Check flight and accommodation change terms separately with each booking provider.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the opening game?

Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026 (Japan). It will be played at the Central League representative’s home stadium.

### Will Game 7 definitely be played?

Game 7 will be played only if needed. It will not be played if a team has won four games earlier in the series.

### Is November 1 definitely the final day of the tournament?

November 1 is the announced date for Game 7. It is not a guaranteed end date because the schedule may change due to bad weather or other circumstances.

### Are games played at the regular-season champion’s stadium?

Games are assigned to the Japan Series representatives’ home stadiums. The winners of each league’s Climax Series earn a place in the series.

### What time do the games start?

The NPB tournament page reviewed does not give specific start times. The Hawks’ listing of night games is also provisional. Check the subsequent announcement for each game for the exact time.

### Has a broadcast available in South Korea been confirmed?

The official announcements reviewed for this article do not identify a way to watch from South Korea. Check broadcasters’ schedules for the 2026 Japan Series. A regular-season broadcast package cannot be assumed to include the tournament.

## FAQ

### When does the 2026 Japan Series begin?
Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Central League participating team's home ballpark.

### How are the home ballparks assigned for each game?
Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 are assigned to the Central League participating team's home ballpark. Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played at the Pacific League participating team's home ballpark.

### Why might Game 5 and later games not be played?
The first team to win four games becomes the champion. If the champion is decided in Game 4, Games 5, 6, and 7 will not be played.

### When is Game 7 scheduled?
Sunday, November 1, 2026. It will be played only if the champion has not been decided by Game 6. The date may change due to bad weather or other factors.

### Are there games on October 26 and October 30?
No games are assigned to either date in the announced basic 2026 schedule. If the schedule changes, check for a new notice on the NPB tournament page.

### Can the ballparks be identified before the participating teams are decided?
The home ballpark assignments by league are available. The specific ballparks will depend on the participating teams. A club's conditional ticket sales should not be taken as confirmation that it has qualified.

### If a game is postponed, can existing tickets be used?
The Hawks' 2026 advance sales announcement says that if games are postponed, tickets remain valid for the corresponding game number. For other ballparks, check the relevant sales announcement to see how this applies.

### Where can I check the broadcast channels and start times?
Check NPB's subsequent tournament announcements and the official broadcasters' schedules. For online viewing, also check whether the broadcaster offers the tournament and whether viewing is available in your region.

## Sources

- [Notice of the Selection of a Special Sponsor and Launch of a Campaign for NPB Japan Series 2026, August 4, 2026](https://npb.jp/news/detail/20260804_01.html)
- [NPB 2026 Annual Professional Baseball Event Schedule](https://npb.jp/event/2026/)
- [NPB SMBC Japan Series 2026 Tournament Page](https://npb.jp/nippons/2026/)
- [Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Japan Series Advance Sales Notice for Members, October 1, 2026](https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/news/detail/202601097393.html)

## Images

![An older man looks out over a baseball field and filling stands, with autumn trees beyond.](https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjQxNjcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--eb80243efe80f2589a9314d673e37d13fe739e37/ai-4f1be66b.webp)
![A woman in a teal jacket stands by her seat at a packed baseball stadium.](https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjQxNzMsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--060da89310ffc5c71df5d08f8c7ef769d2af0edb/ai-12fdce0a.webp)