Tigers are Back-to-Back Champions!
The Central League champion Hanshin Tigers face the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Koshien in the 2026 Climax Series Final Stage, chasing another Japan Series appearance after making franchise history with back-to-back pennants.
Hanshin are back-to-back Central League champions, but their hopes of reaching the Japan Series are hanging by a thread. Three consecutive shutout defeats against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Koshien have left the Tigers facing elimination in the 2026 Climax Series Final Stage. After losing 2–0 on October 14 and 1–0 on October 15, Hanshin suffered a crushing 4–0 defeat on Friday, October 16, managing just two hits as DeNA seized control of the series.
Despite beginning the Final Stage with the automatic one-win advantage awarded to Central League champions, Hanshin now trails 3–1 overall and must win three consecutive games to advance. The next showdown begins Saturday, October 17, at 14:00, with every remaining game potentially the Tigers’ last of 2026. The famous Koshien atmosphere remains, but the challenge is enormous: Hanshin must rediscover its offense against a BayStars team that has not allowed a single run in 27 postseason innings at Koshien.
The championship also completes a remarkable two-year run under manager Kyuji Fujikawa. Hanshin captured the 2025 pennant in Fujikawa’s first season, then survived a much tighter race in 2026 to repeat — something no Tigers team had previously accomplished in the Central League era. Teruaki Sato again powered the lineup, while a deep pitching staff helped keep Hanshin at the top as challengers closed in during the final weeks.
And there could be much more baseball ahead. Win the Final Stage and Hanshin advances to the Japan Series, where the Tigers would chase their third national championship after titles in 1985 and 2023. That makes this page a moving story: as long as Hanshin keeps winning, the postseason continues — and so does championship baseball in Kansai.
The stage could hardly be more fitting. Hanshin Koshien Stadium has been home to the Tigers since their first season in 1936 and remains one of Japanese baseball’s great sporting landmarks. Opened in 1924, its history stretches through generations of Tigers baseball and Japan’s famous national high school tournaments. For supporters across Kansai, postseason nights here carry decades of expectation into every pitch.
That atmosphere is what makes seeing Hanshin at Koshien more than simply watching a baseball game. Brass bands, coordinated songs and chants, packed stands and generations of supporters turn the stadium into a wall of sound. When the stakes rise in October, all of it gets amplified.
For Osaka fans, Koshien is also remarkably accessible. The stadium is roughly 15–20 minutes from Osaka-Umeda by Hanshin Main Line, with Koshien Station immediately beside the ballpark. That makes a Tigers postseason game one of the easiest major championship sporting experiences to reach from central Osaka.
Whatever happens from here becomes part of the story. Hanshin has already accomplished something no previous Tigers team managed in the Central League era. Now the question is whether back-to-back pennants can carry them through October — and all the way back to the Japan Series.
Back-to-Back Champions – Hanshin made history with consecutive Central League pennants in 2025–26
October at Koshien – The Climax Series Final Stage began October 14
Japan Series Chase – Hanshin is pursuing its third national championship
Championship Atmosphere – Chants, brass bands and packed stands turn up the intensity
Kansai Baseball Tradition – Koshien has been the Tigers’ home since 1936
Photos: Hanshin Tigers Official Website, Video: Official Team Website Video
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Opening Hours
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Venue
Hanshin Koshien Stadium
1-82 Koshiencho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Trains
Hanshin Main Line → Koshien Station. From the station, use the stadium-side exit and follow the pedestrian flow toward Koshien Stadium, approximately 3 minutes on foot. The stadium is directly visible ahead as you approach.
Subways
There is no direct Osaka Metro service to Koshien. From Osaka Metro stations in central Osaka, connect to the Hanshin Railway at Osaka-Umeda or Osaka-Namba.
Walking Directions
From Koshien Station, follow signs and the main pedestrian route toward Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The stadium entrance area is approximately 3 minutes from the station. Expect significantly heavier pedestrian traffic before and immediately after postseason games.
◷ FROM CENTRAL OSAKA
From Namba — about 30 minutes
Osaka-Namba → Amagasaki ↔ Koshien on the Hanshin network.
From Osaka/Umeda — about 20 minutes
Hanshin Osaka-Umeda → Koshien on the Hanshin Main Line.
SCHEDULE
The Hanshin Tigers host the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the 2026 Central League Climax Series Final Stage at Hanshin Koshien Stadium.
Current Series Standing: DeNA leads 3–1
Hanshin began with a one-win advantage as Central League champions. Following three consecutive defeats, the Tigers must win all three remaining games to advance to the Japan Series.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 — Game 1
Hanshin Tigers 0–2 Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Final — DeNA wins
Thursday, October 15, 2026 — Game 2
Hanshin Tigers 0–1 Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Final — DeNA wins
Friday, October 16, 2026 — Game 3
Hanshin Tigers 0–4 Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Final — DeNA wins
Saturday, October 17, 2026 — Game 4
Hanshin Tigers vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars
First pitch: 14:00
Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Game 5
Hanshin Tigers vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars
First pitch: 14:00 — If necessary
Monday, October 19, 2026 — Game 6
Hanshin Tigers vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars
First pitch: 18:00 — If necessary
Notes
All games take place at Hanshin Koshien Stadium. DeNA needs one more victory to advance, while Hanshin must win every remaining game.
Games become unnecessary once the series winner has been determined.
The Japan Series begins October 24, 2026.
Official schedule:
https://series.hanshintigers.jp/2026/cs/
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale for Hanshin’s Climax Series Final Stage games at Koshien. Reserved-seat prices vary by seat category and game, with availability expected to change quickly.
Hanshin Tigers Postseason Ticket Information:
https://www.hanshintigers.jp/ticket/postseason/
Koshien Ticket (甲チケ):
https://www.koshien-qr.com/
Tora Ticket (虎チケ):
https://toraticket.pia.jp/
Ticket Pia:
https://t.pia.jp/
Lawson Ticket:
https://l-tike.com/
Visitor-support seating in left field goes on sale October 13 at 12:00, after Hanshin’s opponent has been determined.
Important: Later games will not be played once the Final Stage winner has been decided. Tickets for games that become unnecessary are subject to the organizer’s refund rules. Unauthorized commercial resale is prohibited.
THE EXPERIENCE
Postseason baseball turns an already electric Koshien atmosphere up another level.
- Championship Stakes – Every pitch carries Hanshin closer to—or farther from—the Japan Series
- Koshien at Full Voice – Coordinated chants and brass bands drive the atmosphere from first pitch
- Tigers Traditions – Songs, team colors and generations of rituals fill the stands
- October Baseball – Cooler evenings bring a different feel from Koshien’s summer games
- Ballpark Food – Stadium meals, snacks and beer are part of the game-day experience
- Koshien History – More than a century of baseball surrounds every postseason game
Expect a louder, tighter and more emotional Koshien than during the regular season, with the entire stadium focused on one goal: getting the Tigers back to the Japan Series.
INFO & TIPS
Arrive Early
Postseason crowds will be especially heavy around Koshien Station and the stadium entrances, so allow extra time before first pitch.
October Evenings
Night games can feel cool after sunset. A light jacket or extra layer is useful, particularly for longer games.
Food & Drinks
Stadium concessions offer meals, snacks, soft drinks and beer. Lines are likely to be longest immediately before the game and between innings.
Photography
Personal photography is generally permitted, subject to current Koshien Stadium rules and restrictions.
Later Games
Games listed “if necessary” will not be played once the Final Stage winner is determined. Check the official schedule before traveling.
Ticket Demand
Postseason games can sell out quickly. Use official sales channels and avoid unauthorized resale.
Getting Home
Koshien Station becomes extremely crowded immediately after games. Allow extra time for the return journey.
Official Contact
Hanshin Koshien Stadium
Telephone: 0798-47-1041
https://www.hanshin.co.jp/koshien/
Hanshin Tigers
https://hanshintigers.jp/
