This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks host the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at 13:00 on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in a Super Mario Bros. 40th-anniversary game at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka. Mario is scheduled for the ceremonial first pitch, special Question Block bases will be used, and ticket holders receive a themed item at entry.
- Sunday, August 16, 2026; game starts 13:00
- Hawks vs Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
- Mario first pitch and Question Block base designs
- Original tote bag for most ticket holders; visitor section receives a different item
The Hawks and BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA official announcements and the Japanese source were checked on August 3, 2026. Ticket inventory, merchandise and event details can change.
Game and event overview
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Aug 16, 2026 |
| First pitch | 13:00 |
| Match | Hawks vs Rakuten Eagles |
| Venue | Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka |
| E・ZO pipe spots | Aug 13–23 |
First pitch, special bases and the closed lottery
Mario is due to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the game. First, second and third base will use special Question Block designs, turning normal plays into part of the collaboration. Exact timing can shift with game operations, so be seated early rather than arriving at 13:00.
The postgame base-running experience was a separate advance lottery for 50 eligible elementary-age fan-club or Taka Point members. Applications closed July 15; a game ticket does not provide access to that activity.
Giveaway rules at the gate
Most ticket holders receive an original Super Mario 40th tote bag when passing through the admission gate, from opening until the end of the bottom of the eighth inning. It is one item per person with a valid ticket and cannot be collected after passing the gate.
Tickets for the visitor cheering section receive a Rakuten Eagles mini flag instead, distributed at the Yamaya Mentaiko Gate 6. The team advises guests to bring their own bag for carrying the item. Check the correct gate before entering.
Photo frame, photo booth and E・ZO spots
A dedicated booth beneath Dome Gate 4 lets visitors use the Nintendo Today! app and a Nintendo Account to take pictures with a stadium-only frame. This booth is also available to people without a game ticket, but app setup, camera permission and location settings are easier to complete before arrival.
From August 13 to 23, five free Super Mario pipe photo spots appear inside BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA: three near the third-floor main entrance, one by the fourth-floor baseball museum and one near the rooftop slide start. Attraction admission is not required for the photo spots; do not touch the installations.
Tickets and merchandise
The game itself requires a valid ticket. Use official ticket channels and confirm the seat type, especially if choosing the visitor cheering area because its giveaway differs. The earlier child base-running lottery is closed.
Collaboration goods include a towel, clear file, T-shirt, baseball shirt and key ring. Online sales began first and store sales were scheduled for mid-August; stock and purchase limits may change. Treat merchandise as optional rather than building the day around a guaranteed item.
Getting to Mizuho PayPay Dome
Mizuho PayPay Dome is in Jigyohama, Chuo Ward. From Tojinmachi Subway Station the walk is roughly 15 minutes, and event buses may operate from major stations depending on the game plan. Summer crowds make buses, taxis and nearby roads slower before and after the game.
Allow extra time from Hakata or Tenjin, save the Japanese venue name, and do not schedule a tight airport or Shinkansen departure after the final out. The enclosed dome protects from rain, but the outdoor approach is hot and exposed.
Language, crowds and family planning
Announcements, app instructions and much of the stadium service may be mainly in Japanese. The baseball action and character visuals are easy to enjoy across languages, while a translation app helps with seat, gate and food information.
For families, arrive early enough to find seats, collect the giveaway and use the restroom before the ceremony. Bring water within venue rules, plan quiet breaks in the concourse, and set a meeting point. E・ZO photo spots can be visited on another day between August 13 and 23 if game day becomes too crowded.
