Toronto, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The Los Angeles Dodgers are prepared to defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in a highly anticipated matchup. Game 1 will take place at Rogers Centre. Viewership for the postseason has surged, with significant increases in both the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the popularity of this year’s playoffs. The Dodgers seek to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since 2000, while the Blue Jays are making their World Series return for the first time in over two decades.
Toronto – The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in the highly anticipated 2025 World Series. Game 1 will kick off on Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Dodgers are favored to win and aim to become the first team to secure back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees completed the feat in 2000.
Current postseason viewership for Major League Baseball (MLB) is experiencing significant growth, averaging 4.48 million viewers in the United States, a 13% increase compared to last year and the highest since 2017. The thrilling Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners attracted an impressive 15.03 million viewers total when including Canadian audiences. This particular game achieved a peak of 9.03 million viewers across various FOX platforms in the U.S., marking it as the most-watched ALCS game since 2017. In Canada, the game became the most-watched ever for the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, drawing in 6 million average viewers.
The Blue Jays displayed resilience throughout the postseason, overcoming a 2-0 deficit against the Mariners to advance, marking a significant year for the franchise as they reached the World Series for the first time since 1993. On the other hand, the Dodgers’ remarkable journey included a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, which yielded the most-watched National League Championship Series (NLCS) in Japan, averaging 7.34 million viewers, a 26% increase from the previous year.
Key performances throughout the postseason have also garnered attention. Notably, the NLCS Game 4 featured star player Shohei Ohtani’s historic showing with three home runs and 10 strikeouts, resulting in 10.26 million viewers in Japan, making it the second most-watched LCS game in that country’s history.
This year’s World Series will showcase a blend of international talent, with a combined 13 players from eight different countries among the rosters of both teams. The Dodgers feature players like Ohtani from Japan, Teoscar Hernández from the Dominican Republic, and Kiké Hernández from Puerto Rico, while the Blue Jays include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from Canada, Alejandro Kirk from Mexico, and Andrés Giménez from Venezuela.
MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. affirmed the global appeal of baseball, emphasizing that the 2025 World Series will be broadcast across 203 countries and territories in 16 languages, supported by 44 media partners.
The Dodgers, entering the series as third seeds in the National League, boast pitchers Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom performed exceptionally well during the NLCS. The Blue Jays’ lineup has been particularly strengthened by the talents of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer.
The entire World Series schedule includes a potential Game 7 on November 1, with all games to be aired on FOX. As anticipation builds for the series, baseball fans worldwide are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting matchup between these two storied franchises.
FAQ
What teams are competing in the 2025 World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays are the two teams in the 2025 World Series.
When does the 2025 World Series start?
The series kicks off on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
How is the postseason viewership trending this year?
Postseason viewership is averaging 4.48 million viewers in the U.S., marking a 13% increase from last year and the highest since 2017.
What is the significance of the viewership for Game 7 of the ALCS?
Game 7 set a record with a total of 15.03 million viewers when combining U.S. and Canadian numbers, making it the most-watched ALCS game since 2017.
How many international players are on the rosters?
There are 13 internationally born players across the rosters of both the Dodgers and Blue Jays.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams Competing | Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays |
| World Series Start Date | October 27, 2025 |
| US Postseason Viewership | 4.48 million viewers (13% increase) |
| ALCS Game 7 Viewership | 15.03 million viewers combined (US & Canada) |
| International Players | 13 players from eight countries |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Major League Baseball Reveals 2025 League Championship Series Broadcast Schedule
MLB Teams Prepare for Trade Deadline Rush
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
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