Record-Breaking World Series: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Captivate Global Audience
The Dodgers and the Blue Jays have become the representative teams of Japan and Canada, respectively. The World Series between these two teams garnered record-breaking viewership, with Game 7 attracting 51 million viewers in the United States, Canada, and Japan. This marked the highest viewership for an MLB game since 1991. The series averaged 34 million viewers globally, the largest audience since 1992, with the U.S. alone averaging 16.1 million viewers per game.
The World Series outperformed the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year and fifth time in six years, with a 56% higher rating this year. The strong ratings and rising attendance for the World Series highlight the potential risks of a potential lockout by owners in the upcoming winter season. The aftermath of the 1994-1995 work stoppage saw a slow recovery in attendance, which only returned to pre-strike levels in 2006. Despite recent gains, attendance remains 10% below its peak in 2007.
The Atlanta Braves reported a significant increase in revenues and profits for 2025, despite missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Their revenues included earnings from the Battery, their ballpark-adjacent development. The Dodgers led U.S. television markets in World Series ratings, followed by San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. The Athletics' current and future homes, Sacramento and Las Vegas, also ranked among the top 10 markets.
In Japan, the World Series averaged 9.7 million viewers, while in Canada, it averaged 8.1 million viewers. The Game 7 broadcast in Canada was the second most-watched English-language broadcast after the 2010 Winter Olympics. The success of the World Series in terms of viewership and attendance underscores the importance of maintaining the momentum in the sport and avoiding disruptions that could impact its popularity and financial success.