Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks finished a four-game sweep of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars on October 28 at Mizuho PayPay Dome, claiming the franchise's 13th Japan Series title and tying the Pacific League record held by the Saitama Seibu Lions. The BayStars' scheduled Game 6 and Game 7 home dates at Yokohama Stadium on October 31 and November 1 were cancelled once SoftBank secured the fourth win.
How the series unfolded
SoftBank won the opener 3–1 in 11 innings at Yokohama Stadium on October 24, then took Game 2, 4–3, in ten innings the following night as both clubs burned through bullpens. After a travel day, the Hawks captured a 2–1 walk-off in Game 3 on October 27 in Fukuoka. Starter Tomoya Masaki later earned series MVP honors after contributing key bats throughout the set.
Game 4 on October 28 stayed regulation length: SoftBank scored three in the fourth and held on for a 4–2 decision as closer Yuki Matsumoto notched another save. DeNA's pitching staff matched postseason form from earlier Climax Series rounds against Hanshin, but the offense mustered only six runs across four games.
BayStars' road to the final
Yokohama reached the Japan Series by beating the Yomiuri Giants in the Central League Climax Series first stage, then sweeping the Hanshin Tigers in the final stage at Koshien—a run that included an 8–5 Game 4 slugfest. Manager Ryoji Aikawa leaned on a deep bullpen, but the Japan Series exposed limited run support against SoftBank's pitching depth.
What it means for off-season talk
DeNA opens an off-season with free-agent chatter around imported relievers and an aging core that reached two Japan Series in three years without a ring. SoftBank renews questions about Pacific League dominance as interleague attendance dashboards shift toward winter fan events. For Yokohama retail around Kannai and Sakuragicho stations, the cancelled home games meant lost weekend street traffic on Halloween weekend, a blow local businesses had planned around.
Looking ahead
NPB's offseason posting period and roster registration deadlines will determine whether DeNA pursues another front-line starter or upgrades corner infield depth. SoftBank celebrates at home while the league schedules uniform number retirements and Asia Series invitations. Fans in Yokohama still pack the 89ers year-end concerts, but the pennant wait continues into 2027.
Pitching ledger
SoftBank reliever Yuki Matsumoto recorded multiple saves, continuing a postseason workload that started in the Climax Series. DeNA leaned on young starters Taiki Sekine and Hayato Terahara, but bullpen fatigue showed in late innings. Analytics staffs will study pitch-command charts before qualifying-offer decisions.
Fan economy
Yokohama's stadium district merchants staged consolation sales on imported caps and bobbleheads stockpiled for a potential Game 6. Fukuoka tourism boards promoted PayPay Dome tours highlighting Masaki's MVP display. Pacific League TV ratings for Game 4 beat regular-season averages despite the quick finish.