Major League Baseball will no longer proceed with plans for the London Series in 2026, the league announced (link via Ronald Blum of The Associated Press). MLB had intended to play a two-game series between the Yankees and Blue Jays at London Stadium on June 13-14 next year. Those games are listed as a home series for the Blue Jays, so they’ll presumably take place back at the Rogers Centre.
The series will no longer occur because of a scheduling conflict. London Stadium is the home venue of West Ham United F.C., the city’s Premier League club. The Premier League runs through the final week of May. West Ham’s last home match is on May 24. MLB did not feel that left enough time to convert the venue to a baseball field. Fox, which was scheduled to carry the game, could not accommodate any delays because of its commitments to broadcasting World Cup matches later in the month.
MLB has scheduled a few games outside the United States and Canada as part of its World Tour initiative. It kicked off the London Series in 2019 with a two-game set between the Yankees and Red Sox. The following season’s games were canceled because of the pandemic. MLB scheduled series there in 2023 (Cubs vs. Cardinals) and ’24 (Mets vs. Phillies). This year’s only international series outside Canada was the season-opening two-game set between the Dodgers and Cubs at the Tokyo Dome in late March. The collective bargaining agreement permitted MLB to schedule games in San Juan, Paris, and Mexico City as well. However, the league decided not to pursue any of those plans for financial reasons.
It is expected there will still be one international series in 2026. The Padres and Diamondbacks have had reported discussions about playing in Mexico City early in the year. While MLB has not made an official announcement, the league scheduled a two-game set between those clubs on April 25 and 26 that comes with an off day on each side. That’s currently listed as a home series for the D-Backs but would apparently be played in Mexico if the details are finalized.
One wonders why it must be London if the league wants to play games in Europe. Why not do Berlin or Amsterdam? The Germans and the Dutch quite enjoy baseball and might be amenable to a series.
Exactly. Germany would be a good idea, also to boost the apparent popularity of the game in the Czech Republic, which isn’t that far away.
Madrid would be a good option as well, with all those Dominicans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Mexicans, etc. that live over there.
There intent to schedule games in Paris was laughable. That city is expensive and France doesn’t care about baseball at all.
How bout Ty France’s back yard? They care about baseball. They care about lot. In fact the last time we were there doing stickball they got all hot and bothered about the ground rules and whether it was the patio on a fly or the grill they constituted a ground rule double. So much so we had to get them to chill. “Lighten up Frances” I pleaded
Both Germany and Holland have robust professional baseball programs.
I’d rather just Japan, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, The Bahamas, Panama, and Taiwan
The Premier League schedule has been set for a long time. I don’t buy the excuse. I’m guessing Rogers showed MLB their recent revenues and made a valid case as to why the games should remain in Toronto
They could still play in London. Only an hour or so by motorcar from Detwa
No. It’s not about sending unpopular teams on tour. You think the ‘24 Phillies weren’t drawing enough coming of a WS appearance? They want flagship teams over there for a spectacle.
But, what they really should be doing is sending the Bananas.
Prolly coz like all of Philly is on a no fly list ever since they assaulted Santa
Lights out lights out in London
Hold em tight until the end.
Play them at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa as Jays home games!
I don’t understand why MLB tries to open up markets in places where baseball just is not yet popular and possibly never will be. Well I do understand that it is all about money, but you know what I mean. But there are many more markets where it could be feasible. Playing in Venezuela is not an option due to the current political climate, but the Dominican Republic and even Cuba. But if Europe is the main goal, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic Italy, Germany, and several other countries have shown that they do have an interest in baseball.
That being said, it is our sport keep it here. ,
Why do they try to open up markets? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!
MLB needs to actually market its sport and its players here in the States before they tackle Europe. Shohei and Judge should be household names like Mahomes and Kelce.
Have huge Aaron Judge stand in front of the camera eating a Subway sandwich. Have guys that are actually still playing so kids can see them in action. It’s about buzz.
These are incredible athletes putting up historical numbers and MLB doesn’t know how to market them nor the great game of baseball.
They do market Shohei and Judge in this country. The problem is that ALL they market is Shohei and Judge and a handful of others. There are over 700 major league players and most casual fans could only tell you about a few. They need to get back to marketing the game to kids. When I was a kid, I got interested in the sport because of baseball cards. They were plentiful and taught me about the players and the stats and what they meant. And most importantly they were CHEAP. It’s a simple solution, but greed has all but ruined that.
I honestly don’t know if baseball will ever recover or if it will continue to evolve into a small niche sport of the past like horse racing.
Perhaps because Ohtani and Judge are really good at the sport?
At the very least, those two are the face of baseball right now, so naturally they’ll be in your face whether you like them or not.
Riley Greene, Bryce Harper, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Freddie Freeman, Mike Trout, Kyle Schwarber, Ozzie Albies and others have been marketed too
West Ham is in East London but they are hardly “the city’s PL team” as there are currently 6 other London-based teams in the Premier League. Just saying.
I would say Arsenal is THE Premier League club in London. West Ham is not a good team. I will be there at that stadium this Saturday to watch a match though.
Saw my Toffees at West Ham in late ’23. Arsenal best London team CURRENTLY. Chelsea call themselves The Pride of London. Was at the Bridge as well. The English PL is epic!
The broadcasting networks will always control the games as long as MLB thinks they can make a buck off them.
They are not making much off the RSNs anymore so that is why they want to move on from them.
How about Lakeshore Baseball Complex in London… Kentucky? Rays vs. A’s!
Some ideas are so bad that even if they make money they should not be pursued. Scheduling regular-season baseball games in Europe is one such idea. It is a stunt and a hype that cheapens the schedule. If MLB had any integrity, it would not do that. But MLB has no integrity–not exactly a news flash.
I am flying from Toronto to London today and I will be at a West Ham game in London Stadium on Saturday. What a coincidence.
There are plenty of venues that they can play in, not just in London. Then again the whole of Europe probably doesn’t want the World Cup to be interrupted.
I was at the Cards-Cubs in London back in ‘23. It was bad. So many locals attending the games had no idea about how baseball is played. The fan festivities thing was lame. They didn’t even showcase any St. Louis or Chicago foods. Overall, it was a rather forgettable event. Probably smart to cancel the London series forever.
Play in Helsinki by Finnish baseball rules. Before the Savannah Bananas get there first. If you don’t know about Finland’s cross between tennis & baseball, pesapallo.
youtu.be/uLBNd56MG34
Not hugely surprising. I was there last year and thought it was well attended, if a little drab in terms of atmosphere.
Half the stadium was probably American ex-pats, but that in itself is probably the main market when you consider London as a global city and the lack of interest in baseball overall in the UK.
TV coverage was poor. The BBC treat it like a novelty version of cricket. I don’t know who that appeals to – certainly not baseball fans.
Still, had a lovely chat with some Phillies fans on the tube on the way there, including a bit awkward chat about Wrexham.
Agree with the comment saying the food was awful.
I’ve found awkward chats regarding Wrexham to be quite unfortunate.
The players are afraid of getting arrested for speech.
Not a fan of intl gms
Manfrauds desperate attempt to “expand” viewership & gain new fans
Most of these people have no clue
Its like cricket or rugby coming to US
I’d go just out of curiosity not bc i have any idea what the hell they’re doing. And i’d lose interest the moment it was over
Cor blimey, guvnor. It was a valiant attempt, trying to bring the baseball to the subjects of his Majesty’s realm.
It’s the best way to smuggle classified documents unnoticed by Commie infiltrators. No one ever suspected Ron Washington but believe me, he is one dedicated American…….
Awesome so glad they cancelled this crap hope it continues. You want to grow the game stop putting games all over the place to watch like that stupid Apple channel crap, let Rogers Sports net show the games in the home stadium where they should be.
Kike Hernandez should be the ambassador for/face of baseball to make it look fun to normies.
With or without the sports goggles?
Why does it cost one team 2 home games instead of 1 home game each?
Maybe the commissioner should spend more time trying to save the 2027 season instead of already deflecting blame for a work stoppage and putting on a show in other countries.