London Stadium, home to West Ham’s 66,000 spectators, has been converted into a baseball field for the weekend. The MLB London Series featuring the St Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs is scheduled for the weekend. The venue, London Stadium, will host the games on Saturday, 24 June, and Sunday, 25 June, with the first pitches at 18:10 and 15:10 BST, respectively. Coverage will be live on BBC iPlayer and the Sport Newes Center website and app, running from 18:00 to 21:00 on Saturday and 15:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.
This event marks the return of Major League Baseball to the UK, four years after its debut. While the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, arguably baseball’s biggest rivals, played a two-game series in London in 2019, the focus is now on the historic rivalry between the St Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. The series was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
An expected crowd of over 130,000 fans will gather at London Stadium over two days. The stadium has seen a transformation over the last 18 days, converting it into a high-tech baseball arena. And it’s not just east London that will experience a touch of American culture this weekend; Trafalgar Square is set to host an MLB takeover, and both games will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the Sport Newes Center website and app.
The ‘Route 66′ rivalry between the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs dates back to the early 20th century, predating both Route 66 and Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ historic home. The rivalry originally stemmed from trade competition before transitioning into sports. This rivalry has spanned more than 130 years and 2,494 meetings, filled with dramatic endings, riots, and mass brawls.
The St Louis Cardinals boast 11 World Series titles, surpassed only by the Yankees’ 27. The Chicago Cubs, despite their three World Series victories, hold the more recent championship from 2016. They ended a 108-year title drought that year, breaking a longstanding curse.
Key players for the Cardinals include Paul Goldschmidt, the National League’s Most Valuable Player from last season, and Nolan Arenado. For the Cubs, keep an eye on Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson, both first-time All Stars last season. The performance in London might provide the much-needed momentum for both teams to secure a wildcard spot for this year’s playoffs.
The MLB was given access to the London Stadium on June 5 for the pitch transformation. More than 144,000 square feet of artificial turf tiles and 345 tonnes of infield clay were laid atop 4,000 tonnes of UK-sourced aggregate. The materials will be stored for future series, as MLB plans to return to London in 2024 and 2026. After this series, it will take around five days to revert the stadium to its regular state.
Off the field, the weekend will include appearances by cricket stars James Anderson and Nathan Lyon, who will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday. The London Stadium’s menu will also reflect the culinary heritage of Chicago and St Louis, featuring items such as cheese brisket sandwiches, donut burgers, and even a two-foot hot dog. There will be similar festivities at Trafalgar Square, which will host a baseball festival from Friday to Sunday. The event is free to attend and will feature a mixed-reality game, skills challenges, and live screenings of the weekend’s games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MLB London Series
When and where will the MLB London Series between St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs take place?
The MLB London Series between the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs is set to take place at the London Stadium on Saturday, 24 June, and Sunday, 25 June. The first pitches will be at 18:10 BST on Saturday and 15:10 BST on Sunday.
How can I watch the MLB London Series?
The games will be covered live on BBC iPlayer and the Sport Newes Center website and app from 18:00 to 21:00 on Saturday and 15:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.
What is the significance of the St Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs rivalry?
The rivalry between the St Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, often referred to as the ‘Route 66’ rivalry, has spanned over 130 years and more than 2,494 meetings, making it one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in baseball.
Who are some of the key players in the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs?
Key players for the Cardinals include Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. For the Cubs, Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson are notable players to watch.
What are some of the off-field events associated with the MLB London Series?
Apart from the games, there will be appearances by cricket stars James Anderson and Nathan Lyon. London Stadium’s menu will feature Chicago and St Louis cuisine, and Trafalgar Square will host a baseball festival from Friday to Sunday.
More about MLB London Series
- Major League Baseball Official Website
- St Louis Cardinals Official Website
- Chicago Cubs Official Website
- BBC iPlayer
- Sport Newes Center (Note: This is a placeholder as the actual URL for “Sport Newes Center” is not provided.)
- MLB London Series
6 comments
not sure how i feel bout this.. Love West Ham’s stadium, hope the transformation does’nt damage the pitch much.
wow, i can’t believe we’re gettin to see the Cards vs. Cubs rivalry right here in London! This weekend gonna be epic!⚾️
Did someone say a donut burger and a two-foot hot dog! I’m there just for the food lol!
brilliant to have MLB back in the UK. Baseball needs to be more recognized here, it’s a great sport!
Lets go Cubbies! We may have won less championships but we’ve got the recent one, dont forget that Cardinals fans 😉
Excited to see Goldschmidt in action. He’s a true MVP. Go Cardinals!