Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has announced that its 2021 season will open on 26 March.
NPB left the schedule open from 15 July to 12 August, as the nation hosts this year's Olympics. The Tokyo Olympic baseball tournament -- where the top-ranked Japanese National Baseball Team is going to be amongst the favourites to win the gold -- is scheduled to run from 28 July to 7 August.
?????? Samurai manager Inaba wants Tokyo Olympics to unite entire Japanese baseball world and inspire younger generations https://t.co/m3Vu6t3RrV @samuraijapan_pr
— WBSC ⚾? (@WBSC) January 12, 2021
NPB Opening Day 2021
Both the Central League and the Pacific League have three games scheduled for Opening Day.
2021年度 JERA セントラル・リーグ公式戦の球場、開始時間入り詳細日程を発表しました。
— 日本野球機構(NPB) (@npb) January 25, 2021
開幕戦は3月26日(金)にG−DB(東京ドーム 18:00)、S−T(神宮 18:00)、C−D(マツダスタジアム 18:00)の3カードいずれもナイトゲームで行われます。https://t.co/EawsvK3v8G#NPB
The Central League opening matches are:
- Yokohama DeNA BayStars @ Tokyo Yomiuri Giants
- Hanshin Tigers @ Tokyo Yakult Swallows
- Nagoya Chunichi Dragons @ Hiroshima Toyo Carp
2021年度パシフィック・リーグ公式戦の球場、開始時間入り詳細日程を発表しました。
— 日本野球機構(NPB) (@npb) January 26, 2021
開幕戦は3月26日(金)にE-F(楽天生命パーク 16:00)、L-B(メットライフ 18:00)、H-M(PayPayドーム 18:30)の3カードで行われます。https://t.co/EawsvK3v8G#NPB
The Pacific League Opening Day schedule features:
- Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters @ Rakuten Golden Eagles
- Orix Blue Wave @ Saitama Seibu Lions
- Chiba Lotte Marines @ Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
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The regular season is scheduled to conclude on 21 October.
The Climax Series is scheduled to start on 30 October.
NPB is an Associate Member of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).