Opening Night of the 2026 Nippon Professional Baseball season has arrived, bringing with it a full slate of marquee matchups to kick off the year.
Central League
Chunichi Dragons @ Hiroshima Carp
Yuya Yanagi vs. Hiroki Tokoda
2021 Best Nine selection Yanagi takes the ball on Opening Day for the first time in two years, while pitch-to-contact specialist Tokoda earns his first start on Opening Day.
Hanshin Tigers @ Yomiuri Giants
Shoki Murakami vs. Kazuyuki Takemaru
2023 Central League MVP Murakami draws his second straight Opening Day nod. Opposing him is southpaw Takemaru, the first Giants rookie to start a season opener since Kunio Jonouchi in 1962.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows @ Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Kojiro Yoshimura vs. Katsuki Azuma
Right-hander Yoshimura makes his first career Opening Day start, while ace Azuma gets the call for the third consecutive year.
Key Matchup to Watch: The defending pennant-winning Tigers are the clear class of the CL this year, but a rivalry series with the Giants at Tokyo Dome is always heated and never disappoints.
Pacific League
Saitama Seibu Lions @ Chiba Lotte Marines
Yutaro Watanabe vs. Kaito Mouri
Young righty Watanabe earns his first career Opening Day assignment. Mouri, a first-round pick, becomes the first Marines rookie to start on Opening Day since Yoshimi Ebara in 1950.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles @ Orix Buffaloes
Kosei Shoji vs. Hiroya Miyagi
Emerging ace Shoji makes his Opening Day debut, while Miyagi continues his run as Orix’s Opening Day starter for a third straight season.
Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters @ Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Hiromi Itoh vs. Naoyuki Uwasawa
Reigning Sawamura Award winner Itoh gets his second career Opening Day start. Across from him, former Fighter Uwasawa makes his third overall and first in a Hawks uniform.
Key Matchup to Watch: The Fighters and Hawks duked it out for the pennant last year and are expected to do so again in 2026. It doesn’t get much better than these two juggernauts going head-to-head to start the new campaign.
Photo: Japan’s pitcher Hiromi Itoh prepares to pitch during the six inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Japan, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
