The opening two-game series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) on March 20 and 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, is a hotly anticipated event in Japan. Shohei Ohtani (29) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (25) will make their Dodger debuts in the Seoul series. The MLB World Tour Seoul Series 2024, the first-ever MLB opener to be held in South Korea, is a great opportunity for Japanese baseball fans to see Ohtani play an MLB game .However, the reality is that not many Japanese will be able to watch the game, as the tournament’s organizer, OTT company Coupang Play, has restricted tickets to Coupang Play members only .Since the news broke, Japanese baseball fans have reportedly been scrambling to find ways to purchase tickets .Some even called the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), which has no direct relationship with the tournament, to protest, saying, “Is there any way for foreigners to buy tickets?” and “Isn’t it discriminatory if only Koreans can buy tickets?” In response, Coupang Play explained, “Foreigners can reserve tickets in Korea after signing up for a WoW membership, but it is not possible to reserve tickets in other countries outside Korea.
The reason why it is difficult for foreigners to purchase tickets for the MLB Seoul Series is due to the sign-up process for Coupang Play. To sign up for Coupang Play, you need to have a phone number that is registered with a domestic carrier for verification .If you are a foreigner living in Korea and have a cell phone, you can sign up for Coupang Play and purchase tickets .According to Coupang Play, “Coupang Play is a benefit provided to Coupang Wow members, and selling tickets is the privilege of Coupang Wow members. “In fact, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held in Japan last year was also effectively blocked for Koreans to purchase tickets through normal channels, and it is also expected that it will be difficult to enter through dark tickets.
The tournament will check IDs of spectators entering the venue to verify their identity .It is also difficult to purchase tickets through ticket resale websites such as StubHub, and by checking the IDs of all spectators, black market ticket buyers can be detected.” You must verify your identity with your ID and your purchases on Coupang Play to issue a ticket,” Coupang Play said, adding, “If you are not who you say you are or if your ID does not meet the requirements, you will not be admitted under any circumstances. “It added that it will continue to monitor and receive reports of illegal transaction attempts to prevent black market trading and resale of tickets .Tickets for the opening game between the Dodgers and San Diego on March 20 at 7:05 p.m. will go on sale on March 26 at 8 p.m. via Coupang Play. Tickets for the opening game on 스포츠토토존 March 21 at 7:05 p.m. will also be available on March 1 at 8 p.m.