Saitama Seibu Lions will hold the Japan-Taiwan exchange match 'SEIBU LIONS TAIWAN SERIES – LEGENDS GAME –' at Taipei Dome in Taipei City, Taiwan, on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2027. Today, the 20th, at the home stadium of Taiwan Professional baseball (CPBL) Uni-President The Lions, Mr. Kuo Taigen, Mr. Hisanobu Watanabe, and senior advisor Tetsuya Shiozaki announced the hosting of an exchange game.

'SEIBU LIONS TAIWAN SERIES – LEGENDS GAME –' is being held in response to the unprecedented surge in interest in The Lions in Taiwan, triggered by the arrival of An-Ko Lin, a player who is highly popular among Taiwanese baseball fans this season.

The Lions has featured many Taiwanese players from Taiwan such as Kuo Tai-Yuan, Hsu Ming-Chieh, and Wu Nien-Ting (now with TSG The Hawks), who were known as the 'Oriental Express' during their time at Seibu Lions. Alumnus Watanabe Hisanobu also played in Taiwan. Additionally, Fumiya Nishiguchi, the current head coach of the team, has long been involved with Taiwanese professional baseball, serving as a coach at Uni-President The Lions after retiring.

Currently in Taiwan, after their first victory at the 2024 WBSC Premier12, baseball 's popularity has surged. Taking this exchange match as an opportunity, the aim is to raise awareness and loyalty of The Lions in Taiwan more than ever before, and to serve as a bridge between Japan and Taiwan.

Opened in 2023, this is the first time The Lions will play at Taipei Dome, which has a capacity of about 40,000. On Saturday the 27th, they will face Uni-President The Lions, and on Sunday, the 28th, preparations are underway. Additionally, as a post-match event on Sunday the 28th, a special game will be held where Saitama Seibu Lions OBs and Taiwan national team players will compete. In addition to Genji Koku, about 30 players are scheduled to participate, including Hisanobu Watanabe, who supported the golden era of The Lions alongside Guo, senior advisor Tetsuya Shiozaki, Uni-President The Lions coach Takehei Hayashi, and coach Takashitsuna.

Tickets for the game are scheduled to go on sale around September. Sales overview and other event information will be announced as soon as details are finalized.

▼ An-Ko Lin Player Comments ▼
"I'm happy to have a match between Saitama Seibu Lions and Uni-The Lions at home. Being able to play in front of the fans who have supported me wearing Seibu Lions jersey is a special feeling. First, I want to focus on this season and make a solid contribution to the team's win and championship. Through this match, I hope the appeal of Saitama Seibu Lions and the fun of baseball will spread even more in Taiwan. Everyone in Taiwan, please come to Taipei Dome!

▼ Comment from Guo Tai Genji ▼
"I'm looking forward to playing in front of Saitama Seibu Lions fans and fans in Taiwan after a long time. When An-Ko Lin held his signing press conference in January, we talked with the team about how it would be great to play something like a legend game in Taiwan, and that's how it made it happen. Look forward to the rare opportunity for alumni to gather together!"

▼ Comment from Hisanobu Watanabe ▼
"To everyone in Taiwan, it's been a while. There are so many Saitama Seibu Lions fans in Taiwan, which is very encouraging. I'm really looking forward to the exchange match next February. I'll also be playing in alumni matches, so I think I need to train now. Look forward to the best event!"

▼ Senior Advisor Tetsuya Shiozaki Comments ▼
" Saitama Seibu Lions has had many players from Taiwan in the past, and there are many Taiwanese fans as well. We are also genuinely looking forward to playing matches with the closely connected Tongyi The Lions. For the OB special game, be sure to start pitcher! That's what I'd like to say, but I want to pitch as much as possible."

▼ Comment from Uni-President The Lions Manager Takehei Hayashi ▼
"I am very honored to be invited to this special match. It's been about 10 years since I retired, and I'm excited to put on the spike again and stand in mound and compete against the star players. I'm really looking forward to the day."

▼ Coach Shitsune Takashi, Uni-President The Lions Comments ▼
"I vividly remember watching Saitama Seibu Lions 's games in front of the TV as a child, watching Mr. Kaku play with him in front of the TV. I never imagined that as an adult, wearing the same jersey as Mr. Kaku, competing in pros and national teams, and then standing on the same stage as the legends I admired in this alumni match, I feel a mysterious sense of fate and a deep connection. I'm really looking forward to it."