Baseball Returns to Europe: Perspectives of the MLB Global Series 2025 in Paris

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the unmistakable rhythm of baseball will soon echo through the heart of Paris. In spring 2025, the MLB Global Series will host official Major League Baseball games in France for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s global expansion. This move is not only historic but also strategic, as it aligns with MLB’s ambitions to capture the European market and introduce its charm to a broader international audience.

The Global Expansion of Baseball: A Historical Perspective

Major League Baseball has long held aspirations of expanding its influence beyond North America. While the sport remains deeply rooted in American culture, its global footprint has been steadily growing. From the Japan Opening Series to games held in Mexico and London, each international event has served as a testbed for baseball’s appeal abroad. These efforts date back to the early 20th century, with exhibition tours in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Asia laying the groundwork for future international engagement.

Europe, however, has remained a challenging frontier. The 2019 and 2020 London Series were successful in attracting large crowds and media attention, showcasing the potential of baseball in a football-dominated region. Still, consistent engagement and cultural relevance have been limited. MLB’s renewed focus on Paris as a host city in 2025 signifies a fresh strategy aimed at making baseball more accessible and visible to European audiences, particularly in the wake of the Olympic buzz surrounding France.

This long-view approach is not about short-term gains. Instead, it reflects MLB’s recognition of the need to build grassroots interest and infrastructure, starting with memorable, high-quality experiences. Paris, with its international flair and growing interest in diverse sports, offers an ideal platform for such a venture.

Key Milestones in MLB’s Global Journey

Several key events have shaped MLB’s globalisation path. In 1999, the league hosted its first regular-season games outside North America in Monterrey, Mexico. In the following decades, Tokyo, Sydney, and London followed suit. These events weren’t just symbolic; they featured full rosters, regular season points, and broadcast deals tailored for new markets. Each of these cities contributed valuable data and audience insights for future planning.

The 2019 London Series between the Yankees and Red Sox was a standout success, selling out London Stadium and generating significant TV ratings in the UK. It demonstrated that when properly marketed, MLB could thrive in unfamiliar territory. The league has since formed the MLB Europe office to guide its European initiatives and support youth development programmes across the continent.

Now, Paris is poised to continue this momentum. With the 2025 Global Series, MLB isn’t just bringing baseball to Europe—it’s investing in a long-term cultural exchange, using sport as a unifying language.

Paris Prepares for the MLB Global Series 2025

The selection of Paris as a host city for MLB’s 2025 Global Series was far from arbitrary. France’s capital, already gearing up from hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, possesses the logistical expertise, modern stadium infrastructure, and international appeal necessary for such a prestigious event. Paris’s La Défense Arena, traditionally used for rugby and concerts, will undergo modifications to accommodate a full-size baseball field and MLB-level broadcasting requirements.

The city has committed to a comprehensive promotional campaign aimed at engaging locals unfamiliar with the sport. Partnerships with French broadcasters, multilingual commentators, and outreach in schools and sports clubs are part of a broader plan to create local buzz. MLB is also working with tourism bodies to attract fans from across Europe, turning the games into a weekend-long baseball celebration.

Additionally, fan zones, training sessions open to the public, and community events will run alongside the main matches. These activities are designed not just to entertain, but to educate Parisians on the rules, culture, and excitement of American baseball. It’s an ambitious cultural bridge-building effort between two sporting traditions.

Local Reactions and Cultural Reception

French media has begun to cover the upcoming event with increasing interest, often framing it as a curious and exciting experiment. While baseball is still relatively unknown to the average French sports fan, early surveys show a surprising openness to the new experience, especially among younger audiences familiar with American pop culture and sports through social media.

Local athletes and influencers have also been recruited to help raise awareness. Sports schools and academies are exploring partnerships to incorporate baseball modules into physical education programmes. MLB hopes this groundwork will yield future players, coaches, and fans alike.

Public ticket sales, launched in February 2025, have already indicated strong interest, with pre-sale figures exceeding initial projections. With the right narrative and accessibility, Paris could very well become MLB’s European gateway for the next generation of international baseball enthusiasts.

Baseball’s Role in the Globalisation of American Sports

Baseball’s venture into Europe reflects a broader trend of American sports seeking global audiences. Just as the NBA and NFL have built strong international presences, MLB is now following a similar trajectory. These moves not only generate new revenue streams but also promote cultural exports, soft power, and international brand recognition.

For MLB, Europe represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Unlike Asia or Latin America, where baseball already enjoys deep roots, Europe is starting from scratch. However, this also means the league can shape its brand from the ground up—cultivating values, narratives, and ambassadors that resonate locally.

Moreover, the success of such expansions may influence other sports leagues to explore uncharted markets. If baseball can find an audience in Paris, a city with limited baseball history, it opens the door for broader collaborations between American and European sports institutions. This could lead to more shared events, co-branded youth initiatives, and even talent exchanges.

The Future of Baseball in Europe

Following the MLB Global Series in Paris, the focus will shift toward sustainability. MLB’s European strategy includes launching local leagues, developing training academies, and expanding broadcast coverage. These efforts aim to move baseball from being a novelty to a recognised sport with grassroots foundations.

If successful, Paris could serve as a launchpad for additional European series, perhaps in cities like Berlin, Madrid, or Milan. The ultimate goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem that feeds both the fan base and the player pipeline, ultimately contributing to the internationalisation of Major League rosters.

In this sense, the 2025 event is more than just two games. It is a statement of intent, a strategic investment, and an opportunity to redefine what baseball can be on a global scale. Paris 2025 might just be the beginning of a new chapter in the sport’s rich history.