The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays presented a fascinating viewership paradox: while U.S. audiences experienced a significant 14% decline for the first two games, fans in Canada and Japan tuned in in record-breaking numbers, signaling a changing international dynamic for Major League Baseball.
The opening two games of the 2025 World Series offered a stark contrast in engagement, with domestic interest in the U.S. taking a noticeable dip while international markets, particularly Canada and Japan, celebrated unprecedented viewership figures. This dual narrative raises important questions about the evolving landscape of baseball fandom and the global appeal of Major League Baseball.
Diving into the Numbers: A Tale of Two Series
According to Major League Baseball, the first two games of the 2025 World Series, featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays, averaged 12.5 million viewers across various platforms including Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox One streaming, the Fox Sports app, and Univision. This represents a notable 14% drop from the previous year’s first two games, which saw the Dodgers face the New York Yankees and averaged 14.55 million viewers.
A closer look at the individual games reveals the specifics of this decline. This year’s Game 1, a decisive 11-4 victory for Toronto, drew an average of 13,305,000 viewers. Game 2, which saw Los Angeles triumph 5-1 and notably did not include Univision coverage, averaged 11.63 million viewers, as reported by Fox. For context, last year’s World Series opener, a thrilling 6-3, 10-inning Dodgers win ending with a Freddie Freeman grand slam, captivated 15.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched Series game since 2019. Last year’s Game 2, a 4-2 Dodgers victory, was viewed by 13.44 million fans. These figures, primarily from the Associated Press, highlight a consistent downward trend in domestic engagement for the initial contests of the fall classic.
The International Phenomenon: Canada and Japan Set New Benchmarks
While U.S. viewership figures paint a picture of decreasing interest for the early games, the story is entirely different on the international stage. Both Canada and Japan witnessed record-setting audiences for the 2025 World Series opener, showcasing the growing global footprint of baseball.
Blue Jays Fever in Canada
The presence of the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series ignited unparalleled enthusiasm across Canada. Game 1 drew an impressive 7 million viewers, with Game 2 following closely at 6.6 million. These two games became the most-watched Blue Jays contests ever broadcast on Sportsnet, the network owned by Rogers Communications Inc., which also happens to be the parent company of the Blue Jays. Further extending the reach, the opener was also broadcast with French-language commentary on TVA Sports, attracting 502,000 viewers and becoming that network’s most-watched game. The connection between the team and its ownership through media channels undoubtedly played a role in this massive engagement, as detailed by the Associated Press.
Japan’s Growing Baseball Enthusiasm
Japan, a nation with a deep love for baseball, also set new viewership records. This year’s World Series opener averaged 11.8 million viewers on NHK-G, marking it as the most-viewed World Series game ever televised in Japan by a single network. Game 2 maintained strong interest, averaging 9.5 million on NHK-BS, culminating in a robust two-game Japanese average of 10.7 million. This surge in viewership underscores the burgeoning global appeal of MLB, particularly in countries with strong domestic baseball leagues like Japan, a fact often highlighted in discussions about the league’s international strategy by outlets like AP MLB.
The Broader Context: Beyond the First Two Games
Despite the domestic dip, the combined global reach for the opener was significant. MLB reported that the cumulative 32.6 million viewers for the opener across the U.S., Canada, and Japan represented its highest combined audience since the Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year title drought by beating Cleveland in Game 7 of the 2016 Series. The overall two-game average across these three nations stood at 30.5 million viewers.
The contrasting viewership trends prompt questions within the fan community. Many speculate on the reasons behind the U.S. decline, considering factors such as opponent matchup (Blue Jays versus the more nationally recognized Yankees), evolving streaming habits, or potential market saturation. Conversely, the record international numbers suggest a successful strategy of fostering global fandom, perhaps driven by the presence of international stars or aggressive marketing in these regions.
What This Means for MLB and the Future of the World Series
The 2025 World Series viewership data provides valuable insights for Major League Baseball. The record-setting international numbers underscore the potential for global growth and the importance of continued investment in international outreach and talent development. For domestic audiences, the dip highlights a need for MLB to reassess engagement strategies, perhaps focusing on enhancing the viewer experience, promoting compelling narratives, and adapting to changing media consumption habits. The challenge for MLB will be to leverage the immense international excitement while simultaneously reigniting passion among its core U.S. fanbase to ensure the World Series remains a premier sporting event worldwide.
