News Summary
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are set to face off in the World Series, showcasing a thrilling matchup with record-breaking viewership. Major League Baseball is witnessing heightened interest, indicating a growing international audience and cross-border fandom. Both teams feature a diverse roster of international players, enhancing the global appeal of the championship series. As the Dodgers aim for consecutive titles and the Blue Jays compete for their first championship since the 90s, fans from around the world eagerly anticipate this exciting event.
Los Angeles and Toronto Prepare for the 2025 World Series Amid Record Viewership
Los Angeles and Toronto are gearing up for the highly anticipated 2025 World Series, where the defending champions Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Toronto Blue Jays. This championship series marks an exciting chapter for Major League Baseball (MLB), highlighted by a surge in postseason viewership both in the United States and internationally.
Record-Breaking Viewership Across U.S. and Canada
Overall, the 2025 MLB postseason has captured the attention of fans, with an average viewership of 4.48 million in the U.S., signifying a 13% increase compared to last year. It is now the most-watched postseason since 2017, indicating a renewed interest in the playoffs. The American League Championship Series (ALCS), particularly Game 7 between the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, drew significant audiences. When including Canadian viewers, the game averaged 15.03 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched series of the postseason.
In the United States alone, the game garnered 9.03 million viewers across multiple FOX platforms, marking it as the most-watched ALCS game since 2017. In Canada, the game set a record for the Blue Jays with an average viewership of 6 million on Sportsnet, making it the most-watched Blue Jays game ever in the country. The combined viewership for the entire ALCS in both countries averaged 9.39 million, reflecting a 60% increase over the previous year’s average of 5.88 million.
International Impact and Global Audience Engagement
Beyond North America, MLB’s international reach is evident. The National League Championship Series (NLCS), particularly the Dodgers’ sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, registered an average of 7.34 million viewers in Japan, marking a 26% increase from the previous year. One game, NLCS Game 4, featuring Shohei Ohtani’s historic performance with three home runs and 10 strikeouts, drew 10.26 million viewers in Japan. This makes it the second most-watched NLCS game ever in that country.
Global Broadcast and Increasing Cross-Border Fans
The World Series is set to be broadcast across 203 countries and territories in 16 languages through a network of 44 media partners. The series’ international appeal is also reflected in the players’ backgrounds. Rosters for both teams include a combined total of 13 international players from eight different countries, emphasizing baseball’s global reach.
Notable Players and Series Details
For the Dodgers, international stars such as Shohei Ohtani from Japan, Teoscar Hernández from the Dominican Republic, and Kiké Hernández from Puerto Rico are key figures. The Blue Jays roster includes Canadian slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mexican catcher Alejandro Kirk, and Venezuelan infielder Andrés Giménez.
Series Schedule and Expectations
The series begins with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, with a start time of 8:00 p.m. ET. The Dodgers are considered the favorites to repeat as champions, aiming to become the first team since the Yankees in the late 1990s to win consecutive titles. Despite being viewed as strong contenders throughout the regular season, they entered the playoffs as the third seed in the National League.
Key Players and Team Performance
Dodgers’ starting pitchers, including Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, have performed admirably during the postseason, especially in the NLCS. On the other side, the Blue Jays rely heavily on offensive stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, to advance further in the series. Notably, this marks the franchise’s first appearance in the World Series since 1993, after overcoming a 2-0 deficit against the Mariners.
Series Format and Upcoming Schedule
The 2025 World Series will encompass up to seven games, with potential Game 7 scheduled for November 1. All games will be broadcast on FOX, maintaining consistent coverage for viewers worldwide. The series promises to deliver high-stakes baseball with a global audience watching closely as two highly talented teams compete for the championship.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Major League Baseball Unveils League Championship Series Schedule
MLB Standings Tighten Ahead of Trade Deadline
Arizona Diamondbacks Focus on Trade Deadline and Eugenio Suarez
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Ranking the Best MLB World Series Matchups Since 2000
- Wikipedia: World Series
- ESPN: Dodgers Strongly Favored to Win World Series
- Google Search: Los Angeles Dodgers
- CBS Sports: World Series Schedule 2025 Dodgers vs Blue Jays
- Google Scholar: MLB World Series
- MLB: Dodgers Starting Pitchers Healthy for World Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Blue Jays
- Bleacher Report: Maple Leafs and Raptors Adjust Schedules for World Series
- Google News: 2025 MLB World Series
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
