Beginner’s Guide to the NPB Climax Series: How the Playoffs Work & Tips for Enjoying the Games
The Climax Series (CS) is a postseason tournament for professional baseball in Japan, where the top three teams compete to advance to the Japan Series. We'll explain the appeal of watching the game and how to get tickets.
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Table of Contents
- What is the Climax Series?
- Background to the Introduction of the Climax Series
- Climax Series Structure and Rules
- Other Game Rules for the Climax Series
- How to Get Tickets for the 2025 Climax Series & Tips for Watching
What is the Climax Series?
The Climax Series (CS) is a postseason playoff in Nippon Professional Baseball, featuring the top three teams from the regular season in each of the Central League and Pacific League . It was officially introduced in both leagues in 2007, and has since become an important battle for a ticket to the Japan Series.
The Japan Series is a showdown between representatives from both leagues to become the best of Japan, played in a best-of-seven format. The clash between the teams that survived the long season draws much attention as the arena to decide the pinnacle of domestic baseball. The Climax Series is the path leading up to the Japan Series, and every year it creates a lot of drama.
Background to the Introduction of the Climax Series
The Climax Series was introduced to maintain excitement towards the end of the season . It was largely influenced by the efforts of the Pacific League, which had previously struggled with attendance numbers. From 1973 to 1982, a two-season system was introduced, and a playoff was held if the winners of the first and second halves of the season were different.
Climax Series Structure and Rules
The Climax Series games are divided into two stages, the "First Stage" and the "Final Stage," with the team that finishes first in the season given an advantage. Here we will explain how each stage works.
First Stage
The first stage is a match between the second and third place teams in each league . There will be a maximum of three games, and the first team to win two games will advance to the final stage. All games are held at the home stadiums of the second place team, so the second place team is said to have an advantage due to home advantage and the large number of supporters. Also, in cases where there are many ties, such as 1 win, 1 loss and 1 draw, or 0 wins, 0 losses and 3 draws, the second place team with the higher ranking will automatically advance to the final stage.
Final Stage
The Final Stage is an important stage where the winner of the First Stage faces off against the team that finished first in the season . The maximum number of games is six, and the first team to win four games will earn the right to advance to the Japan Series. A major feature here is the "one-win advantage" given to the team that finished first in the season. In other words, the first-place team actually needs three wins to advance, while the challenger needs four wins.
Since all games are held at the home stadium of the team in first place, the team in first place has an advantage in terms of travel expenses and support. Also, even if two teams are tied in terms of wins after six games, the team in first place for the season will advance to the Japan Series.
Other Game Rules for the Climax Series
The Climax Series has its own rules that differ from those of the regular season, such as how extra innings are handled, whether a game is called, when the starting pitcher is announced, and the policy for playing games in the rain.
Knowing this before watching a match will help you understand the flow of the game and make your viewing experience even more enjoyable.
How to Get Tickets for the 2025 Climax Series & Tips for Watching
Tickets for the Climax Series can be purchased through Tickets in Japan , a sales site for foreign visitors to Japan.
Pacific League 2025 PERSOL Climax Series Final Stage Tickets
*The SoftBank Hawks finished first in the 2025 regular season and will advance to the final stage. (Updated September 29th)
Pacific League 2025 PERSOL Climax Series 1st Stage Tickets
*The tickets sold are not reserved seats at ESCON Field, but are admission tickets that allow entry into ESCON Field.
The appeal of watching a game in person is that you can experience the cheering songs and the excitement in the stands, a sense of realism that you can't get from watching it on TV or streaming. By watching baseball in person, you can enjoy the Climax Series to the fullest.
"Tickets in Japan" is a ticket sales service that allows international tourists visiting Japan to purchase entertainment tickets for sports events, concerts, theater performances, and other shows held in Japan.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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