The Pacific League’s 2026 Climax Series begins Saturday at Belluna Dome, where the Seibu Lions host the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in a best-of-three first stage starting at 2 p.m.
Bracket math
League champion Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks receive a bye into the six-game final stage beginning Oct. 14 at Mizuho PayPay Dome. The Lions-Fighters winner needs two victories by Monday to face SoftBank, which finished the regular season with the PL’s best record.
Central League mirror
In the CL, the Yomiuri Giants meet Yokohama DeNA BayStars in a parallel first stage the same weekend, with Hanshin waiting in the final. Japan Series Game 1 is scheduled for Oct. 24, giving players little rest if each series goes the distance.
Fan travel note
Seibu is selling limited express packages from Tokyo, but typhoon recovery on Chiba lines may push some fans to drive. NPB said it will announce any start-time moves by Friday night if weather worsens, though the dome itself is sheltered.
Rosters and pitching
Seibu manager Hiroyuki Kobayashi said his bullpen is rested after closing the regular season on a six-game win streak, while Nippon-Ham travels south with staff ace Kota Yazawa available on full rest. Hawks manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo watched from Fukuoka, saving his rotation for a potential six-game final beginning Wednesday.
Ticket resale prices on official exchanges doubled within hours of bracket confirmation, a sign Pacific League fans expect a tight Lions-Fighters series even if SoftBank is favored overall.