SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 5 Canceled: Hawks Sweep BayStars, Ticket Refund Dates

Status verified October 29, 2026: There will be no Game 5 between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yokohama DeNA BayStars on Thursday, October 29. The Hawks won Game 4 on October 28, completing a four-game sweep of the SMBC Japan Series 2026. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has confirmed the championship result and announced refunds for tickets to the unplayed Games 5, 6, and 7. The Hawks have separately confirmed that their scheduled home Game 5 will not take place.

Game 5 had originally been listed for 6:00 p.m. in Fukuoka, Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+09:00), on October 29, equivalent to 09:00 UTC on October 29, at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka. That is the former scheduled start, not an upcoming first pitch. Japan does not observe daylight saving time. Fans checking an older fixture page or broadcast schedule should use the official NPB Japan Series results page and the Hawks' Game 5 refund notice for the updated status.

Game 5 status at a glance

Why was Game 5 removed from the schedule?

The Japan Series is a best-of-seven championship, not a requirement to play seven games. Under NPB's published competition rules, the series ends as soon as one club wins four games. SoftBank won the first four, so the October 29 fixture was no longer necessary. This is different from a rainout, a stadium closure, or a postponement to a later date: Game 5 will not be made up as part of this completed series.

The BayStars' own official series page marks the October 29, October 31, and November 1 games as not being held. A fixture appearing on an older ticket page or search result is therefore a record of the original conditional plan, not proof the teams will meet again. If you were preparing to travel to the dome on October 29, check your ticket and transportation arrangements now rather than heading to the venue for a game that will not be staged.

How SoftBank won the championship in four games

SoftBank took both opening games at Yokohama Stadium, then won twice at home in Fukuoka. NPB's final series scoreboard lists the following results, all with SoftBank as the winner:

Game 3 was decided by Tomoya Masaki's walk-off home run in the 10th inning, putting the Hawks one victory away from the title. In Game 4, DeNA briefly threatened to extend the series when Keita Sano hit a two-run homer in the first inning. SoftBank answered in the fourth: Yudai Yamamoto's two-run triple tied the game and Yuki Yanagita drove in the go-ahead run. Yamamoto added a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and the Hawks' pitching staff held the 4–2 advantage. The official NPB Game 4 report provides the inning-by-inning account and box score.

According to the Hawks' October 28 championship announcement, the victory was the franchise's 13th Japan Series title and its second in consecutive seasons. NPB named Tomoya Masaki the series' Most Valuable Player and DeNA pitcher Katsuki Azuma the recipient of the Fighting Spirit Award. The complete honors appear in the official 2026 Japan Series awards list.

Game 5 ticket refunds: dates and what to do

NPB published a refund announcement on October 28 covering Games 5, 6, and 7. For paper tickets, the published refund period is November 2–22, 2026. NPB instructs holders to seek a refund at the purchasing store or the convenience store that issued the ticket, and emphasizes that the physical ticket is required. Keep the original ticket intact; without it, the stated paper-ticket refund procedure cannot be completed.

For electronic tickets purchased through Lawson Ticket, the specified window is November 6–20, 2026. NPB says separate instructions will arrive by email or another communication channel. Because the procedures differ by ticket format, do not assume a paper-ticket store refund is the correct process for an e-ticket. Check the original seller's notices, preserve your purchase confirmation, and follow the instructions for your actual ticket type. Store opening hours may differ; the dates alone do not establish a universal opening or closing time.

The Hawks' separate home Game 5 announcement says that Mizuho PayPay Dome parking reservations and wheelchair-accessible parking reservations for October 29 are also eligible for refunds. The club says October 29 FAN'S SQUARE advance reservations are invalidated and the points used for those reservations will be returned. These provisions are specific to the items named in the club's notice; they do not establish a general refund entitlement for unrelated hotels or travel bookings. Contact those providers directly about their separate terms.

Was Game 5 supposed to be televised or streamed?

Yes, but those were conditional advance plans. NPB's October 20 broadcast announcement originally named TV Asahi for Japanese television coverage, with ABEMA and TVer as internet platforms for Game 5. ABEMA's original program listing also advertised a 5:50 p.m. JST (UTC+09:00), or 08:50 UTC, pregame start on October 29. Those published times describe what was planned before the series ended, not a live game that is still taking place.

With SoftBank's championship already decided, there is no Game 5 first pitch to broadcast, no new Game 5 box score, and no actual Game 5 starting pitchers to announce. A program tile that remains accessible should not be treated as independent confirmation of a live event. Broadcasters may change their programming, so anyone looking for an alternative show or replay should consult the broadcaster's current guide rather than infer what will air from the canceled fixture. Streaming access also varies by service and territory; the original Japan-market announcement does not guarantee access abroad.

Where to follow the confirmed results instead

The most useful next step for fans who had planned to follow Game 5 is to review the completed championship rather than wait for a lineup or live stream. NPB's 2026 series homepage provides the four final scores, official reports, series statistics, awards, and links to highlight material. For the deciding game's play-by-play details, use the official October 28 Game 4 score page. Fans interested in post-title events or merchandise should consult the Hawks' official announcements rather than assume an activity will replace the canceled ballgame at the dome.

Frequently asked questions

Will SoftBank play DeNA at 6:00 p.m. JST on October 29?

No. That was Game 5's originally scheduled start in Fukuoka, equivalent to 09:00 UTC. The Hawks finished the Japan Series on October 28 by winning their fourth game.

Who are the official Game 5 starting pitchers?

There are no Game 5 starters for a game that will not be played. Names shown in speculative previews should not be presented as a confirmed matchup. To check who actually started the deciding game, use NPB's Game 4 box score.

Are October 29 game tickets still valid for admission?

There is no Game 5 admission because the game is not being held. Holders should follow the official refund instructions for the corresponding ticket type instead of traveling to Mizuho PayPay Dome for the original 6:00 p.m. JST event.

When can I receive a refund?

NPB gives November 2–22, 2026 for paper-ticket refunds and November 6–20, 2026 for Lawson electronic tickets. These are the official claim windows, not a promise that money will appear in an account on a particular date. Consult the original ticket provider for method and processing details.

Editorial verification: Updated October 29, 2026 using NPB's final results and refund notice, the Hawks' confirmation, and the BayStars' official series page. The October 29 start time and media lineup are retained only as historical details of the unplayed fixture.