In collaboration with the Los Angeles Dodgers, All Nippon Airways is marking the team’s back-to-back World Series championships with a series of exclusive in-flight collectibles for passengers traveling between Los Angeles and Tokyo.
The promotion, announced on May 22, 2026, also coincides with the 40th anniversary of ANA’s first international flight to Los Angeles.
What passengers will receive
From May 22 through September 30, 2026, all passengers on ANA flights departing Los Angeles for Tokyo will receive a limited-edition commemorative pin. Two unique designs will be released at different points during the promotional period, each featuring the ANA and Dodgers logos alongside a ‘Back-to-Back World Champions’ emblem and a Japan-inspired baseball jersey.
From June 15 through September 30, 2026, Business Class passengers will also receive a miniature Dodgers helmet, modeled after the dessert containers familiar to fans at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. The souvenir features the ANA logo and the championship branding.
A deeper partnership
The collaboration extends well beyond the cabin. ANA signage is featured behind home plate and on the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium, with the airline’s branding appearing on the team’s backdrop during select media interviews. ANA also serves as the presenting partner of select promotional giveaways at the ballpark.
According to Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President at ANA, the partnership reflects a shared sense of excellence and the cultural ties between the two countries.
“Baseball has a unique power to connect cultures, and we are honored to offer our passengers a special piece of the Dodgers’ historic achievement to carry with them to Japan, celebrating the rich baseball heritage that connects our two nations,” Ishii said.
Lorenzo Sciarrino, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships for the Dodgers, suggested that the collaboration brings the championship spirit to fans and travelers alike.
“We look forward to welcoming ANA passengers to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium and sharing the excitement of back-to-back World Championship baseball with fans around the world,” Sciarrino said.
ANA began nonstop service to Los Angeles in 1986 and currently operates three daily roundtrips between Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Baseball’s deep roots in Japan
Baseball was introduced to Japan in 1872 by American educator Horace Wilson, who taught the game to students at the Kaisei Academy in Tokyo. Japan’s first organized adult team, the Shimbashi Athletic Club, was established in 1878.
Professional baseball in Japan took hold in the 1920s, but the modern era began in 1934 with the founding of the Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club, a team of all-stars assembled by media mogul Matsutaro Shoriki. The team gained national attention after playing against an American squad that included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx.
Today, baseball is Japan’s most popular sport, with approximately seven million people playing the game. The country’s top professional league, Nippon Professional Baseball, consists of 12 teams split between the Central League and Pacific League. High school baseball also commands a devoted following, with the annual Summer Koshien championship broadcast nationally every August.
Why the Dodgers have captured Japan
The Los Angeles Dodgers have become the most popular Major League Baseball team in Japan, with nearly 60% of Japanese sports fans naming the franchise as their top choice.
The connection has been driven largely by Japanese superstars on the roster, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. Their presence has turned Dodger Stadium into a second home for millions of fans watching from across the Pacific.
To date, 74 Japanese-born players have appeared in at least one MLB game, with 12 currently on active rosters.
