Yokohama DeNA BayStars 2027: Baseball in Japan's Harbor City

Yokohama DeNA BayStars 2027: the club in brief

The BayStars are a Central League club based in Yokohama, in Kanagawa Prefecture. The franchise began as the Taiyo Whales, became the Yokohama BayStars in the 1990s, and has carried the DeNA name since 2012. The color is blue, the tone is modern, and the club has built a reputation for lively marketing and a friendly welcome to newcomers.

They are one of three clubs in the Tokyo region, together with the Yomiuri Giants and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, and the only one on the waterfront. For the league context, see the NPB 2027 hub.

Yokohama Stadium: the BayStars' home ballpark

Yokohama Stadium opened in 1978 and holds about 35,250 spectators. It is an open-air ballpark in Yokohama Park, close to the sea, so evening games can be breezy and pleasant. The grounds are compact and the stands sit close to the field, which creates an intimate feeling compared with the big domes. Heavy rain can cancel a game here, so check the forecast in the rainy season.

Yokohama Stadium and its Olympic moment

The park hosted the baseball and softball tournaments at the Tokyo Olympics, including the baseball final, which gave the stadium a place in international sporting history. The ground has been renovated several times since and remains one of the most attractive in the league.

How to get to the BayStars' Yokohama Stadium

Yokohama is easy to reach from Tokyo by several trains, and the stadium is within walking distance of two stations in the central district.

• Kannai Station, on the Yokohama Subway Blue Line and the JR Negishi Line, is the main access point.
• Nihon-odori Station, on the Minatomirai Line, is another short walk.

Yokohama game-day tips and sightseeing

The stadium is next to Chinatown, the harbor promenade and the Minato Mirai district, which makes a day out easy: a lunch in Chinatown, a stroll along the waterfront and then the game. After the final out the stations fill, so linger for a bit or walk to a second stop. Our road-trip guide shows how to combine Yokohama with Tokyo clubs.

BayStars tickets and best seats at Yokohama Stadium

Yokohama Stadium is divided into infield reserved seats, outfield reserved seats and unreserved sections. BayStars games have become much harder to get into in recent years, so buy early for weekends and for the Giants and Tigers series. Midweek games are usually more relaxed, and early arrival lets you walk the park, find your section and see the pregame routines of the cheering groups.

Choosing the right seats for the BayStars

Infield seats give you the best view of the pitcher and batter and a calmer atmosphere. The outfield stands are where the organized cheering takes place, and the home side is the choice if you want to chant and wave towels. Visitors have a separate zone, so read the category on your ticket before you buy.

How to buy BayStars tickets as a foreign visitor

Use the club's official ticket office online, a convenience-store ticket machine or an authorized agency. Avoid unofficial resellers: some tickets are linked to the buyer, and some require identification. Our email alert will tell you when 2027 sales start.

BayStars atmosphere: blue seas, songs and harbor food

The BayStars crowd wears blue and sings for each batter, led by drums and trumpets, with a notable emphasis on a warm and inclusive mood. The home stands act as a single organism, and the visiting section has its own songs, which gives the park a sound similar to a pop concert. Playful ritual moments, from coordinated towel waving to sing-along refrains between innings, are part of the evening, and the staff are used to first-time foreign visitors who are unsure what to do.

Eating and drinking at Yokohama Stadium

Given the city's port heritage, expect a menu that goes beyond bento boxes, with Chinese-style dumplings, noodles, fried chicken and a strong beer culture. Vendors carry kegs on their backs and bow after each pour. Bring a light jacket for sea breezes in spring and autumn, and a fan for summer. The concourses also sell club merchandise in the blue colors, from towels and caps to jerseys, and it is a popular souvenir for travelers who want something wearable from a single game.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars history and titles

The franchise has won the Japan Series three times: in 1960 as the Taiyo Whales, in 1998 and in 2024. The 1998 team is remembered for a hard-hitting lineup nicknamed the Machine Gun offense and for a famous closer who was long since retired. The 2024 title came after a long wait and a run through the Climax Series, and it turned a modest club into a symbol of Yokohama pride.

BayStars memories and the road to 2024

For decades the franchise languished in the lower half of the standings, so the 2024 victory carried huge emotional weight. The club's rebranding under DeNA, with a focus on community, merchandising and a modern ballpark experience, is often cited as the foundation of that rise.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars rivalries and regional matchups

Games against the Giants and Swallows are the traditional Kanto derbies, and the BayStars have recently faced the Hanshin Tigers in postseason series, which has added a fresh layer of tension. The match-ups often draw large visiting crowds from Osaka.

BayStars versus Giants and Swallows

Because Yokohama is a short ride from the other Tokyo-area parks, it is possible to watch three Central League clubs in three nights. It is one of the easiest multi-club trips in Japanese baseball, and a good way to compare three very different crowds without changing hotels. Add the Chiba Lotte Marines across Tokyo Bay from the Pacific League, and you can see four clubs in a single week.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars 2027 schedule and alerts

The official 2027 calendar has not been announced. NPB normally publishes it in autumn or winter, and the 2026 season opened in late March, so a similar timing is likely, but no date is confirmed. We will add the schedule when the league releases it.

Planning a BayStars trip in 2027

Spring and autumn are comfortable for an open-air game by the water. Read our first-game guide for the basics and sign up for the free alert below to receive the calendar and ticket dates.