SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 1 DeNA vs Softbank Hawks (24th, Yokohama)

The Japan Series suddenly went into an extra inning starting from the very first game. While it is 12 innings during the regular season, social media and the internet were buzzing with people asking, 'How many extra innings are there?!'

Until 2017, extra inning games were played up to 15 innings, and Game 6 of the 2010 Chunichi vs. Lotte series became the longest game in history, ending in a 2-2 tie after 5 hours and 43 minutes. However, the rules were changed starting in 2018. Games are now called after 12 innings through Game 7, while games from Game 8 onwards are played without a limit.