Dodgers Partner with Uniqlo, Unveil New Dodger Stadium Field Name
The playing surface at Dodger Stadium now carries a corporate name for the first time. Team and Uniqlo executives unveiled the change on Wednesday, one day before the season opener.
Sponsorship details and stadium placement
The field will be called Uniqlo Field, with red-and-white signage added around the ballpark. Signs will appear on the batter’s eye in center field, beneath the press box facade, and along the baselines.
Dodger Stadium opened in 1962 and is the third-oldest ballpark in the majors. This marks the first time its playing surface has borne a sponsor name.
Timing and game-day context
The announcement came hours before the Dodgers hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Game 7 World Series star, was scheduled to start for Los Angeles.
The roster includes three high-profile Japanese pitchers and position players: Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Roki Sasaki.
Uniqlo background and the deal
Uniqlo is a Japan-based apparel chain with more than 2,400 stores worldwide. The brand operates nearly 80 U.S. outlets, mostly in malls, and plans continued expansion.
Executives described this as Uniqlo’s first major sports sponsorship in the United States. Negotiations lasted nearly a year, company officials said.
Leadership and financial notes
Tadashi Yanai, Uniqlo’s founder, addressed reporters through a translator at the ceremony. Koji Yanai, a senior executive officer at Fast Retailing, negotiated the agreement and is Tadashi’s son.
Tadashi Yanai is frequently cited among Japan’s wealthiest individuals, with an estimated net worth near $62 billion.
Reactions and promotional plans
Club president and CEO Stan Kasten attended the unveiling. He joined Uniqlo executives in responding to fan questions and media prompts.
The Dodgers presented Tadashi Yanai with a home plate signed by the players. Club officials described it as a symbolic welcome to the team’s new partner.
- A special Uniqlo corner will appear inside team apparel stores at the ballpark.
- A June 21 fan event will distribute a LifeWear clothing item to attendees.
- A social contribution program tied to the partnership will launch in late May.
Brand visibility and club ties to Asia
The stadium already displays signage from Japanese companies, including Tokyo Electron, All Nippon Airways, and Yakult. The team has increased outreach to Asian fans since Shohei Ohtani joined in 2024.
When asked if hitters would receive a prize for striking the center-field sign, executives reacted with interest. The exchange recalled a historical promotional sign at Ebbets Field decades ago.
The move reflects both commercial ambition and a growing connection between the Dodgers and Japanese baseball stars. Dodgers Partner with Uniqlo, Unveil New Dodger Stadium Field Name appears set to shape fan experiences and retail offerings this season.
