When the Los Angeles Dodgers announced their initial giveaways schedule for the 2026 season, it included three separate Shohei Ohtani bobblehead games at Dodger Stadium.
The first of which is Friday night, in the series opener against the Texas Rangers. The Ohtani bobblehead is the first part of how the Dodgers are celebrating his “Greatest Game” performance against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series last year.
The second part of the bobblehead series is July 8, for a game with the Colorado Rockies. Lastly, an Ohtani pitching bobblehead is scheduled for Aug. 22, when the Dodgers host the Pittsburg Pirates.
Dodgers policy for bobblehead giveaways
Keeping in line with a change made last season, the Dodgers again are planning to distribute an Ohtani bobblehead to the first 54,000 ticketed fans in attendance while supplies last at a guest’s point of entry.
All other Dodgers bobbleheads and giveaways are limited to 40,000 units, unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, whether with Ohtani collectibles or other Dodger Stadium promotional items, only one giveaway item is given per person, per valid ticket upon entering.
In 2024, the Dodgers’ first ever Ohtani bobblehead night had an announced attendance of 53,527. It was an MLB-high before Kiké Hernández’s bobblehead giveaway later that season broke it.
Videos and pictures flooded social media, showing endless lines of fans waiting outside Dodger Stadium several hours before gates opened for the chance to get their hands on an Ohtani trinket.
That prompted the Dodgers to change their policy and plan for all ticketed fans to receive an Ohtani bobblehead. Though, there still were some groups that chose to arrive to the stadium well beforehand. Last year the Dodgers held four bobblehead giveaway dates of the two-way superstar.
Shohei Ohtani bobbleheads in 2026
April 10: Shohei Ohtani “Greatest Game” hitting bobblehead
July 8: Shohei Ohtani “Greatest Game” bobblehead (part 2; design not yet unveiled)
Aug. 22: Shohei Ohtani “Starter Series” bobblehead
As of Friday, Ohtani is going to be up to seven Dodgers bobbleheads in his career. That is tied with Justin Turner for third all-time in franchise history. Ahead of them are Clayton Kershaw with 11 and Fernando Valenzuela’s nine.
Ohtani’s bobblehead history features one version with Decoy and another that saw a select number painted in gold as special edition versions that were distributed by surprise.
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