2026 Japan Series Schedule and Broadcasts in Japan

The SMBC Japan Series 2026 is a matchup between Yokohama DeNA and SoftBank. It opens in Yokohama on October 24 (Japan). Games are scheduled in Yokohama and Fukuoka through Game 7 on November 1 (Japan). Japanese TV and online coverage varies by game.

Game times and broadcast schedules are based on NPB's announcement of October 20, 2026.

Japan Series 2026 game schedule

Games 1 and 6 start at 18:30, and the other scheduled games start at 18:00. The table below shows the 2026 schedule. Times are Japan Standard Time, which is the same as Korea Standard Time.

The stadium's Japanese name is Yokohama Stadium (横浜スタジアム). The Fukuoka stadium's name is Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka (みずほPayPayドーム福岡). Schedule changes can be checked on the official NPB tournament page.

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The guide covers Japanese broadcast channels and recorded broadcasts.AI-generated image

Which teams are competing?

The Japan Series is a matchup between the winners of the two leagues' Climax Series. The Central League and Pacific League qualifiers compete for the Japanese professional baseball championship. NPB announced the 2026 tournament rules on October 9.

This year's matchup is the Yokohama DeNA BayStars against the SoftBank Hawks. The Yokohama DeNA BayStars' original-language name is 横浜DeNAベイスターズ. Their opponents are the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (福岡ソフトバンクホークス). The tournament format is explained in NPB's tournament rules announcement.

Comparing Japanese TV and online coverage

Japanese TV and online coverage varies by game. The table below shows the schedule NPB announced on October 20, 2026. A broadcaster's program may start at a different time from the game.

Nippon TV's original-language name is Nippon Television (日本テレビ). TV Asahi is written テレビ朝日. The source for this table is NPB's TV and online coverage announcement.

TVer appears in the online coverage schedule for every scheduled game. U-NEXT is listed for Games 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. Hulu is listed for Game 4, and ABEMA for Game 5.

NPB's coverage schedule does not list prices or subscription requirements. A service's name alone is therefore not enough to establish that viewing is free. Prices and supported devices should be checked in each service's information for the game.

How do game and broadcast start times differ?

The scheduled game start time is when the first pitch is due. A broadcast may begin earlier for pregame coverage. Recorded broadcasts are scheduled separately after the game ends.

TBS's start time for Game 1 appears on the program schedule page. The page says the broadcast time may change. Check the latest schedule just before watching.

TBS Channel late-night recorded broadcasts

TBS Channel is a paid CS broadcaster. Its program page lists the following recorded broadcasts. The table below converts late-night times into their actual calendar dates.

For example, “3:30 a.m. late on October 24” means the early morning of October 25. Another program may air if a game is canceled or the series ends early. Detailed listings should be checked on the TBS Channel Japan Series program page.

Time difference and viewing region in Korea

In Korea, Japanese game times can be read as they are. Both countries use UTC+9. Being in the same time zone, however, does not mean having the same access to broadcasts.

TVer videos can be watched only within Japan. TVer's official help page says viewing from overseas is not possible. TVer therefore cannot be presented as a viewing option in Korea.

The overseas restriction is explained in TVer's official help page. The page also excludes viewing through a VPN from its supported uses. NPB's Japanese coverage announcement alone cannot establish which broadcaster officially carries the series in Korea.

What to watch for

The main things to watch are the change in host city and the designated hitter rule. A designated hitter bats in place of the pitcher. NPB's tournament rules apply this rule at the Pacific League qualifier's home games.

• Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 are scheduled in Yokohama.
• Games 3, 4 and 5 are scheduled in Fukuoka.
• The designated hitter rule applies to games in Fukuoka.
• Starting pitchers will be announced in advance for every game.

The two teams will not play every game under the same batting-order rules. This difference helps explain how players are used in each game. The applicable rules are set out in NPB's tournament rules.

Schedule changes due to an early finish, rain or a tie

Once one team wins 4 games, the remaining games will not be played. Listing games through Game 7 does not mean every game will take place. The original wording of the ending rule in NPB's tournament rules is:

一方のチームが4勝した時点で日本シリーズは終了。

Source: NPB, “SMBC Japan Series 2026 Tournament Rules”

If a game is canceled because of rain or another reason, it is postponed and played at the same stadium. Travel days may also be adjusted as a result. Final dates and start times are subject to NPB's change notices.

November 1 is the original scheduled date for Game 7. Rain or tied games could delay the end of the series. It should therefore not be treated as a fixed final date.

Key questions in this article

Does every game start at 6 p.m.?

No. Games 1 and 6 start at 18:30. The other scheduled games start at 18:00.

Is every game scheduled on TVer?

NPB's announcement lists TVer for Games 1 through 7. But if the series ends early, the remaining games will not be played. TVer's overseas viewing restriction also applies separately.

Are TBS and TBS Channel the same viewing option?

The two listings must be distinguished here. TBS in NPB's coverage schedule is different from the paid CS broadcaster TBS Channel. The relevant listings on TBS Channel's program page are recorded broadcasts.

Will NHK-BS carry every game?

NPB's announcement lists NHK-BS only for Games 2 and 3. It should not be read as a schedule for every game. For the other games, check the broadcasters in the coverage table above.

Does the Japanese coverage schedule show whether I can watch in Korea?

Not on its own. Broadcast rights and the regions where services can be used are separate conditions. In particular, TVer officially does not support viewing from overseas.