The Tokyo Dome was the selected venue to host the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs as they play the first games of the 2025 regular season in Japan for the Tokyo Series as part of the MLB World Tour.
The Tokyo Dome normally serves as the home of Nippon Professional Baseball’s (NPB) Yomiuri Giants, who have played their games there since it first opened in 1988. It was also was where the Nippon-Ham Fighters played home games from 1988–2003.
The Tokyo Dome has hosted numerous other events, including the World Baseball Classic, NFL Preseason games, boxing matches, concerts and much more. The stadium is also the location of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, which details the history of baseball in Japan.
Capacity at the Tokyo Dome for baseball games is 45,600. It can range anywhere from 42,000–55,000 depending on the event.
Located in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan, the Tokyo Dome first opened on March 17, 1988, it is also affectionately referred to as the Big Egg for the color and shape of the stadium. It was modeled after the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome of Minnesota fame, with the project costing $280 million to construct.
Nikken Sekkeia, Takenaka Corporation, Geiger Engineers were the main contractors for the project. Nikken Sekkeia is credited as a co-architect and as a structural engineering consultant.
Takenaka Corporation was the other credited architect and the company charged with construction of the stadium. Geiger Engineers was a structural engineering consulting firm that assisted the project.
The Tokyo Dome’s dimensions are 330 feet down the left field line, 400 feet to straightaway center and 330 feet to right field. It utilizes an all-FieldTurf field, with small areas of dirt around the pitchers mound, home plate, and the bases.
What time do Dodgers play games at Tokyo Dome?
The Dodgers’ first exhibition game at the Tokyo Dome is 3 a.m. PT on Saturday, March 15. Their second game in Japan then is at 8 p.m. on Saturday as awell.
Opening Day of the 2025 season is Tuesday, March 18. The Cubs will be the home team for both games of the Tokyo Series, with first pitch for each contest scheduled for 7:10 p.m. local time, which amounts to 3:10 a.m. PT.
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