NPB vs. MLB: A Tale of Two Baseball Business Models
ArchySports Staff
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Botchan Stadium (2022)
While baseball purists in the U.S. might scoff at the idea, japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) takes a markedly different approach to game locations compared to Major League Baseball (MLB). One key difference lies in the concept of “official matches outside the home field.” In MLB, teams almost exclusively play regular season and postseason games at their designated home stadiums. Think of iconic venues like Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox or Dodger Stadium for the Los Angeles Dodgers – these are hallowed grounds, fiercely protected as the team’s domain.
MLB’s commitment to home stadiums is so strong that the 30 teams’ home grounds are, with very few exceptions, exclusively used by those teams. The Oakland Athletics’ and Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situations are notable exceptions, highlighting the challenges some teams face in securing permanent homes. However, even these situations are intended to lead to a dedicated home field.
The exception to this rule comes in the form of MLB’s “world strategy,” which occasionally sees official games played overseas. A prime example is the recent opening series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome,generating important buzz in japan. This mirrors the NFL’s International Series,where teams play regular-season games in London and other international locations to expand the league’s global reach.
last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres kicked off their season with two games at the Gocheok Sky Dome near Seoul, South Korea. These international games are carefully planned and executed, representing a tiny fraction of the overall MLB schedule. They are the exception, not the rule.
Of the 162 games in a regular MLB season, each of the 30 teams plays 81 games at their home stadium and 81 games on the road, at their opponents’ home stadiums. This creates a consistent and predictable experience for fans and players alike.
NPB, however, operates under a different beliefs.Historically, Japanese baseball lacked the strong “franchise” concept prevalent in the U.S. As an inevitable result, NPB teams continue to play official games at various local stadiums throughout their region, fostering a connection with a broader fanbase.
NPB’s road Show: Official Games at Numerous Stadiums
Table of Contents
Here’s a glimpse at the planned stadium schedule for the 2025 season, showcasing the NPB’s commitment to bringing baseball to different communities:
[Scheduled Stadiums for 2025]
Central League:
・Yomiuri Giants: 71 home games
62 games at Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
2 games at Kyocera Dome Osaka (Osaka)
1 game at Nagaragawa Stadium (gifu)
1 game at Ishikawa Prefectural Baseball Stadium (Kanazawa)
1 game at Yamaryo Stadium Yamagata (Yamagata)
1 game at Toyama civic Stadium Alpen Stadium (Toyama)
1 game at Fukushima prefectural Azuma Stadium (Fukushima)
2 games: Location Undecided
Toyama Civic Stadium alpen Stadium (2023)
Go to the gallery page
・Hanshin Tigers: 71 home games
62 games at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya)
8 games at Kyocera Dome Osaka (Osaka)
1 game at Kurashiki Muscat Stadium (kurashiki)
・Yokohama DeNA Baystars: 72 home games
71 games at Yokohama Stadium (Yokohama)
1 game at HARD OFF ECO Stadium Niigata (Niigata)
・Hiroshima Toyo Carp: 72 home games
72 games at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima (Hiroshima)
・Tokyo Yakult Swallows: 72 home games
70 games at meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium (Tokyo)
1 game at Botchan Stadium (Matsuyama)
1 game at Shizuoka Prefecture Kusanagi General sports Field Hardball Stadium (Shizuoka)
・Chunichi Dragons: 72 home games
70 games at Vantelin Dome Nagoya (Nagoya)
1 game at Nagaragawa Stadium (Gifu)
1 game at Toyohashi Civic Stadium (toyohashi)
Nagaragawa Stadium (2021)
Go to the gallery page
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NPB vs.MLB: A Tale of Two Baseball Business Models
While baseball purists in the U.S. might scoff at the idea, japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) takes a markedly different approach to game locations compared to Major League Baseball (MLB). One key difference lies in the concept of “official matches outside the home field.” In MLB, teams almost exclusively play regular season and postseason games at thier designated home stadiums. Think of iconic venues like Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox or Dodger Stadium for the Los Angeles Dodgers – these are hallowed grounds, fiercely protected as the team’s domain.
MLB’s commitment to home stadiums is so strong that the 30 teams’ home grounds are,with very few exceptions,exclusively used by those teams. The Oakland Athletics’ and Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situations are notable exceptions, highlighting the challenges some teams face in securing permanent homes. However, even these situations are intended to lead to a dedicated home field.
The exception to this rule comes in the form of MLB’s “world strategy,” which occasionally sees official games played overseas. A prime example is the recent opening series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome,generating important buzz in japan. This mirrors the NFL’s International Series,where teams play regular-season games in London and other international locations to expand the league’s global reach.
last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers and san diego Padres kicked off their season with two games at the Gocheok Sky Dome near Seoul, South Korea. These international games are carefully planned and executed, representing a tiny fraction of the overall MLB schedule. They are the exception,not the rule.
Of the 162 games in a regular MLB season, each of the 30 teams plays 81 games at their home stadium and 81 games on the road, at their opponents’ home stadiums. This creates a consistent and predictable experience for fans and players alike.
NPB, however, operates under a different beliefs.Historically, Japanese baseball lacked the strong “franchise” concept prevalent in the U.S. as an inevitable result, NPB teams continue to play official games at various local stadiums throughout their region, fostering a connection with a broader fanbase.
NPB’s Road Show: official Games at Numerous Stadiums
Here’s a glimpse at the planned stadium schedule for the 2025 season, showcasing the NPB’s commitment to bringing baseball to different communities:
[Scheduled Stadiums for 2025]
Central League:
・Yomiuri Giants: 71 home games
62 games at Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
2 games at Kyocera Dome Osaka (Osaka)
1 game at nagaragawa Stadium (gifu)
1 game at Ishikawa Prefectural Baseball Stadium (Kanazawa)
1 game at Yamaryo Stadium Yamagata (Yamagata)
1 game at Toyama civic Stadium Alpen Stadium (Toyama)
1 game at Fukushima prefectural Azuma Stadium (Fukushima)
2 games: Location Undecided
Toyama Civic Stadium alpen Stadium (2023)
Go to the gallery page
・Hanshin Tigers: 71 home games
62 games at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya)
8 games at Kyocera Dome Osaka (Osaka)
1 game at Kurashiki Muscat Stadium (kurashiki)
・Yokohama DeNA Baystars: 72 home games
71 games at yokohama Stadium (Yokohama)
1 game at HARD OFF ECO Stadium Niigata (Niigata)
・hiroshima Toyo Carp: 72 home games
72 games at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima (Hiroshima)
・Tokyo Yakult Swallows: 72 home games
70 games at meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium (Tokyo)
1 game at Botchan Stadium (Matsuyama)
1 game at Shizuoka Prefecture Kusanagi General sports Field Hardball Stadium (Shizuoka)
・Chunichi Dragons: 72 home games
70 games at vantelin Dome Nagoya (Nagoya)
1 game at Nagaragawa Stadium (Gifu)
1 game at Toyohashi Civic Stadium (toyohashi)
Nagaragawa Stadium (2021)
Go to the gallery page
The following table breaks down the home game distribution for each Central League team in NPB for the 2025 season, offering a direct comparison to the MLB’s stadium-centric approach:
| Team | Main Home Stadium(s) | Other Stadiums | Total Home games |
| :———————– | :——————————— | :——————- | :————— |
| Yomiuri Giants | Tokyo Dome (62) | Multiple (9) | 71 |
| Hanshin Tigers | Hanshin Koshien Stadium (62) | Kyocera Dome Osaka (8), Kurashiki Muscat Stadium (1) | 71 |
| Yokohama dena Baystars | Yokohama Stadium (71) | Hard Off Eco Stadium Niigata (1) | 72 |
| Hiroshima Toyo Carp | Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima (72) | | 72 |
| Tokyo Yakult Swallows | Meiji Jingu Stadium (70) | Botchan Stadium (1), Shizuoka Hardball Stadium (1) | 72 |
| Chunichi Dragons | Vantelin Dome Nagoya (70) | Nagaragawa stadium (1), Toyohashi Civic Stadium (1) | 72 |
This table clearly illustrates the NPB’s commitment to spreading the baseball experience across various locations, unlike the consistent single-stadium model of Major League Baseball. This strategy helps grow the sport’s popularity throughout Japan. in contrast, most MLB teams play the majority of their games at their primary home stadium, fostering a stronger sense of team identity centered on a specific location.
NPB’s Decentralized Home Field Advantage
While MLB teams enjoy a significant home-field advantage due to the familiarity of their stadium environment and the support of their local fans, NPB teams face a more fluid dynamic. The wide dispersal of home games can bring both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, teams gain exposure to larger fan bases, potentially boosting revenue and merchandise sales across different regions. On the other hand, this constant travel and adaptation to various stadium environments can take a toll on players.
This unique approach to home games showcases the differences in cultural and business objectives between MLB and NPB. While MLB prioritizes developing a strong franchise identity and a reliable in-stadium experience, NPB favors accessibility and a broader footprint across the japanese archipelago.
FAQ: NPB vs.MLB Stadium Strategies
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the differences between NPB and MLB stadium strategies:
Q: Why does NPB play games in multiple stadiums?
A: NPB teams historically lacked the strong franchise concept of MLB, leading them to connect with diverse fan bases. Playing in multiple stadiums across different regions of Japan fosters broader support and accessibility, reflecting a key aspect of Japanese baseball culture.
Q: Does this affect the home-field advantage for NPB teams?
A: Yes.While MLB teams enjoy a consistent home-field advantage, NPB teams must adapt to varying environments, which can both challenge and diversify that advantage. The home team advantage, in terms of win rates, is frequently enough stronger in MLB due to the familiarity of players with the field.
Q: Why doesn’t MLB play outside of its designated home stadiums?
A: MLB prioritizes a strong sense of place, and franchise identity, with home stadiums being a core element of the fan experience. Additionally, the travel and logistical complexity of moving games to various locations within the US would be incredibly high.
Q: Are there any international games in MLB?
A: Yes,MLB plays an average of 10 games per year outside of the USA. MLB has a ‘world strategy’ and plays official games overseas to increase the game’s global popularity, such as the recent Dodgers and Cubs games in Tokyo. These are rare and serve promotional purposes rather than changing day-to-day scheduling.
Q: Could this stadium strategy be adopted by MLB?
A: while unlikely due to business and logistical concerns, the strategy is beneficial to NPB. MLB may continue to expand its international series programs, but a widespread change in the home game structure is unexpected, and the NFL’s approach illustrates an alternative model.
This comparison highlights not only the differing business models but also the cultural values behind the sport in both major leagues and should give fans a deeper gratitude of the strategies that go into each unique approach.
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