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As Major League Baseball gears up for its return to London with a two-match series this weekend, other European nations such as Germany and the Netherlands are on the radar as possible hosts for future games, reflecting MLB's push to extend its influence throughout Europe.
MLB's chief operations and strategy officer, Chris Marinak, mentioned to The Associated Press that while the focus is on priority markets, long-term plans might involve exploring venues in Germany and possibly the Netherlands. However, the UK remains the central focus in the foreseeable future.
This weekend, the London Stadium will see the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals face off. This is the same venue that welcomed MLB's inaugural European match in 2019, where the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox entertained a sold-out audience of close to 60,000 spectators.
Earlier in the season, MLB held a couple of games in Mexico City featuring the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. MLB is also eyeing Paris as a possible host for next season's games, which would mark the league's French debut. A return to London is planned for 2026.
In terms of broadcast revenue, merchandise sales, and digital product subscribers, the UK is reported by the AP to be MLB's most profitable European market, though it lags behind Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China, and Australia. Last year, MLB entered a five-year broadcast agreement with the BBC in the UK.
Marinak emphasized the league's belief in the UK's potential as a benchmark for growth within the European market.