Shohei Ohtani’s first World Series appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers has captured Japan’s attention, driving unprecedented viewership numbers. The Game 2 broadcast between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees drew an average of 15.9 million Japanese viewers—around 12% of the nation’s population—setting a record as the most-watched MLB postseason game ever in Japan.
Ohtani’s impact on viewership extends beyond Japan. For the first time, Japan outpaced the U.S. as the second-largest TV market for a World Series game. While 13.8 million U.S. viewers tuned in, Japanese fans watched in record numbers, despite the 9 a.m. game time across Japan. The games are broadcast by Fuji TV, NHK BS, and J Sports, reaching fans eager to see Ohtani and his Dodgers in action.
Dodgers vs. Yankees Viewership Surge Worldwide
The Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Yankees in Game 2, featuring a standout pitching performance from Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, had Japanese fans on edge, especially when Ohtani exited in the 7th inning due to a shoulder injury. With Ohtani confirmed to play in Game 3, excitement and viewership in Japan are set to remain high.
Back in the U.S., the Dodgers-Yankees World Series matchup is delivering viewership spikes for Fox Sports, reaching numbers not seen since 2017. Viewership among the younger demographic of 18 to 34-year-olds has jumped by 93%, an indicator of baseball’s growing appeal among younger fans. MLB’s social media also saw massive engagement, with 345 million views and 25 million interactions, both World Series records.
This Dodgers-Yankees showdown has become a global event, uniting fans from Los Angeles to Tokyo, as Ohtani’s influence continues to propel baseball to new heights in Japan and beyond.
