MLB Cancels Yankees vs. Jays Series in London Due to Scheduling Issues

MLB Cancels London Games Due to Scheduling Issues

The Major League Baseball (MLB) has decided to cancel its plans to hold two games in London next season. This decision is due to scheduling problems related to West Ham’s Olympic stadium and the limitations of its television partner. Originally, MLB intended for the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays to face off in London on June 13th and 14th. However, West Ham has their last Premier League match against Leeds scheduled for May 24th, leaving little time to convert the field for baseball. Furthermore, MLB was unable to schedule games for later in June due to the lack of available broadcast slots from Fox, due to World Cup commitments.

“We remain interested in Europe. We believe London is an important starting point for us,” commented Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Rob Manfred

The MLB played in London for the first time in 2019, with the Yankees sweeping two games against the Boston Red Sox. A two-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs in 2020 was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2023 and 2024, series were split between the Cardinals and Cubs, and the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively.

The MLB labor contract included games in Paris for 2025, but they were canceled because MLB and the players’ association couldn’t find a promoter. Manfred also mentioned that MLB is working on grassroots initiatives in India due to that nation’s affinity for cricket. Furthermore, Mexico is a priority for MLB. Regular season games have been played in Monterrey in 1996, 1999, 2018, and 2019, and in Mexico City in 2023 and 2024. Arizona and San Diego are likely to play in Mexico City on April 25th and 26th. MLB has gained in the Asian market, especially in recent years thanks to the following of Shohei Ohtani. The MLB season opened in Tokyo in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2019 and this year, and in Seoul, South Korea, in 2024. “Our international approach has always been country by country, largely because we find that the places we are interested in are at different stages of development,” added Manfred.