MLB plays 2,024 regular season games in 4 international countries

The MLB World Tour is coming to four international destinations in 2024: London, Mexico City, Seoul, and Santo Domingo.

The Seoul Series will be the 2024 MLB regular season opener – and will be the first MLB regular season games ever to be played in Korea.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced the full plans for the four series on Wednesday.

• seoul series: Dodgers vs. Padres, March 20-21 (MLB season opener)
• Mexico City Series: Astros vs. Rockies, April 27-28
• London series: Mets vs. Phillies, June 8-9
• Dominican Republic Series: Red Sox vs. Rays, March 9-10 (Spring Training)

“Major League Baseball is very excited about this wide range of international games in 2024,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred. “Our recent efforts have produced strong enthusiasm around the world, and we look forward to building on that foundation with returns to Mexico City and London, with the season also opening in Korea for the first time. Plus, we can’t wait to celebrate the traditions of sport in the Dominican Republic with our visit to Santo Domingo next March. We are thrilled that our fans in four different countries outside of the United States and Canada will have the opportunity to see the stars of the game.”

The MLB World Tour schedule for next year includes the return of games to the United Kingdom and Mexico for the second season in a row, after the 2023 London Series between the Cubs and Cardinals and the Mexico City Series between the Giants and Padres, in addition to new stops in Korea and the Dominican Republic.

“Players have a deep interest in growing baseball around the world. No matter where they come from, players are connected by a passion for our game that transcends different languages, cultures and nationalities,” said Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association. The series announced today will allow fans around the world to get a first-hand appreciation for the unparalleled skill and infectious enthusiasm that players display every time they step into action. We’re excited to expand our international presence into new communities and celebrate the game we all love.”

Here’s a look at each of the four international series in 2024.

The Dodgers and Padres will open the 2024 season with two games in Korea from March 20-21.

The Seoul Series will be the ninth time an MLB season opener has been held outside of the 50 US states and Canada, and the first time in five years. Previous international editorials include:

• 1999 – Monterrey, Mexico (Rockies vs. Padres)
• 2000 – Tokyo, Japan (Mets vs. Cubs)
• 2001 – San Juan, Puerto Rico (Rangers vs. Blue Jays)
• 2004 – Tokyo, Japan (Rice vs. Yankees)
• 2008 – Tokyo, Japan (Red Sox vs. A’s)
• 2012 – Tokyo, Japan (A vs. Mariners)
• 2014 – Sydney, Australia (Dodgers vs. D-back)
• 2019 – Tokyo, Japan (A vs. Mariners)

This will be the Dodgers’ first international game since they played the Padres in Mexico in 2018, and their second Opening Day overseas after the 2014 season opener in Australia.

“The Dodgers have a long and proud history of helping develop the game overseas, highlighted by our trips to Mexico, China and Australia. It’s very exciting to add Korea to the list,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten said. “I know our players are thrilled to showcase their talents in a country so rich in baseball traditions and talents, including Dodgers Park Chan-ho, Hye-seop Choi and Hyun Jin-ryu.”

The Padres will play internationally for the second consecutive season, but in a new country, starting with the 2023 Mexico City Series to the 2024 Seoul Series. Like the Dodgers, they have also played overseas on Opening Day before, in the inaugural International season opener in 1999.

“Korea is a great baseball country with rich traditions, passionate fans, and talented players, including Padres and San Diego favorite Ha-Sung Kim,” said Padres CEO Eric Gruebner. “The Padres are proud to serve alongside the Dodgers as global ambassadors for baseball with the historic 2024 Korea Series.”

The second Mexico City Series will feature the Astros and Rockies for a pair of games on April 27 and 28, nearly a year after this season’s Mexico City series opened.

Houston and Colorado last played their internationals in Mexico, but in Monterrey, not Mexico City. The Astros played two regular season games against the Angels there in 2019, and the Rockies played a series of exhibitions against the D-backs that same year.

The Astros have played exhibition games in Mexico City before, in 2016 against the Padres and 2004 against the Marlins.

The Mets will play overseas for the first time since 2010, when they faced the Marlins in Puerto Rico. But they are no stranger to international games, having participated in MLB’s first regular season international in 1996 in Mexico and their first MLB regular season game in Japan in 2000.

Mets owner Steve Cohen said, “Interest in baseball is growing around the world, and bringing the Mets’ never-say-die style to sports fans in London is a great honour.” “Our Queens family is ready to show London the great time with exciting baseball and amazing experiences creating new fans and building the Mets community across the UK.”

The Phillies have never played regular season games internationally, and have only left the United States and Canada once, over 50 years ago, for exhibition games against the Pirates in San Juan in 1977.

“Major League Baseball has done an excellent job expanding its presence internationally, and we are honored to play a part in this effort as part of the London 2024 Series,” said Phillies managing partner John Middleton. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase the talents of our players and highlight the excitement that comes with a Phillies Mets match for our fans in the UK and for those who have never attended a baseball game.”

In addition to the three planned regular season international series in 2024, the Red Sox and Rays will play a spring training series in Santo Domingo at Estadio Quisqueya March 9-10.

“This one-of-a-kind opportunity builds on our longstanding relationship with the Dominican Republic and allows us to celebrate the incredible talent and rich cultural heritage of a country whose passion for the game has clearly shaped our foundation,” said Sam Kennedy, Red Sox president. “From the players who have come through the Dominican Republic Academy to those who have helped us win championships, we have been fortunate to witness the profound impact of Dominican players on our game, and we are thrilled to be able to bring Red Sox baseball to such a vibrant baseball community next year.”

Exhibition games are also a major part of the MLB World Tour, which includes up to 16 exhibition games played internationally between 2023-26, as well as up to 24 regular season games covering Asia, Europe and Latin America.