The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres will face off in Korea.
The American Professional Baseball Major League 메이저놀이터 (MLB) and the Players Union (MLPBA) announced on the 13th (Korean time) that during the 2024 MLB regular season, the MLB world tour will be held in four countries outside of the United States and Canada.
In particular, from March 20 to 21, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will play two season-opening games in Seoul, which will be the first ever MLB regular season game to be held in Korea.
It is also the ninth Opening Series in Major League history to be held outside of the 50 United States and Canada. In Asia, it will be held for the third time after Japan and Australia. The opening series were held in Monterrey, Mexico in 1999; in Tokyo, Japan in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019; in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2001; and in Sydney, Australia in 2014.
In addition to the opening game in Seoul, the MLB World Tour event will also host 2024 regular season games in Mexico City and London, which hosted MLB regular season games in 2023. The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies will play two games in Mexico City on April 27 and 28, 2024, and the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will play in London, England, on June 8-9.
Additionally, on March 9 and 10, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will play spring training practice in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as well as a three-city regular season series.
The MLB World Tour is the beginning of a new history that brings major league clubs and players directly to fans in various countries around the world, with up to 24 regular season games and 16 events in Asia, Mexico, Latin America and Europe from 2023 to 2026. It is the largest international away game plan in the history of MLB and MLBPA, which will host the game.
“MLB is very excited as it prepares for international games to be held in various countries in 2024,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. We are very excited for the season opener in Korea for the first time ever, with the 2024 regular season games being held in Mexico City and London again following in 2023. MLB teams will also visit Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in March for spring training practice. We congratulate them on hosting the game, and we are delighted to be able to give MLB fans from these four countries the opportunity to meet the MLB stars in person.”
Heo Gu-yeon, president of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), said, “I would like to thank MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Seoul Metropolitan Government and other officials from related organizations for their efforts until the MLB opening game in Seoul was held. For the development of Korean baseball, we will continue to promote cooperation with the MLB Secretariat and provide more diverse events for baseball fans. I will do my best to provide you with something to see.”
Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Karsten said, “We are very happy to have a meaningful MLB game for the first time in history next season in front of Korean baseball fans who have great knowledge and passion for baseball.” It has a proud and long history of helping the growth of baseball worldwide while participating in international away games, and I am very excited that Korea will be added to it. Dodgers players are very excited about being able to unfold our talents in Korea, which has a rich baseball tradition and talent, including players.”
Eric Grupner, CEO of the San Diego Padres, said, “I am very excited to be able to play MLB in Korea for the first time ever. Korea is a great baseball country with a rich baseball tradition, passionate fans and great players. I am proud to be able to participate in the historic opening series in Korea in 2024 as a global ambassador with .
Kim Ha-seong, who came to Korea wearing a San Diego uniform, also conveyed his feelings through an interview with the club’s official SNS.
He said, “When I joined the Padres, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to represent San Diego and Major League Baseball in my home country. I cannot express how happy and happy I am to be able to play in Korea in a San Diego uniform.”
He continued, “I think it will be a very special and good memory for me to be able to experience such a great opportunity by inviting my teammates, staff, and coaches to Korea. I would be grateful if many Padres fans from Korea came to support me.” expressed anticipation.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have played six international matches since their first overseas trip to Montreal Expos in 1988 in Puerto Rico. The San Diego Padres participated in a total of seven international matches this year, including an MLB regular season game against San Francisco in Mexico City on May 1.