When we think of baseball, we usually picture it as the ultimate American pastime, deeply tied to U.S. culture. But in reality, the game’s reach goes well beyond America. Yes, MLB isn’t just played in the U.S.; it’s played in places like Mexico, Canada, and Japan.

That said, the World Series, baseball’s biggest stage, has almost always been held on American soil. The reason is simple… Out of MLB’s 30 teams, only one, the Toronto Blue Jays, is based outside the United States. But changed briefly in the early ’90s when the Blue Jays made history. Notably, after playing Atlanta in 1992, Canada became the first country outside the U.S. to host a World Series again the following year.

So, despite the “World” in its name, the World Series had long been an all-American affair, until then.

The 1993 World Series was especially significant not only because it was the last time the championship was played outside the U.S., but also because of how it ended. If you remember, the Blue Jays faced the Phillies and clinched the title in six games!!! Joe Carter’s legendary walk-off home run sealed the deal. And for the first time, a World Series ended that way for a team that was trailing. Iconic, indeed!!!

How Many Times Have World Series Games Been Played Outside the USA?

2 times. Yes, there have been only 2 times the World Series has been hosted outside the US, and the blame could lie in the lack of non-American teams. Apart from the Blue Jays, there were the Montreal Expos. However, after their shift to Wasignston, the Blue Jays are the only team representing diversity in MLB.

Reportedly, in 1992, the Blue Jays hosted part of the Series at Toronto’s SkyDome, marking the first time a World Series was played outside the United States. They followed it up in 1993 by hosting the Phillies, winning in six games, and securing back-to-back championships. And since those landmark Series, no team based outside the U.S. has reached the World Series, which underscores how rare and historically significant it is for the championship to move beyond American soil.

And now, with the 2025 World Series set to return in Toronto, it could mark the first time in over three decades that MLB once again takes its biggest stage to an international audience!

Why Haven’t There Been Any World Series Games Outside the USA Since 1993?

The Blue Jays’ inability to reach the World Series after 1993 is undoubtedly the primary reason the event has not been hosted outside the US. However, there are a few more…

The next in line is the travel and time zone challenge. Hosting games abroad creates major logistical headaches. For instance, players, staff, and fans would face long flights and disrupted routines. At the same time, broadcasters have to adjust schedules for different time zones, potentially affecting U.S. TV audiences, which remain MLB’s largest market.

Moreover, of the 30 MLB teams, only Toronto is outside the U.S. This makes international hosting rare, as almost every other team has its fanbase, operations, and infrastructure centered in America.

Well, while the World Series remains on American soil, MLB continues to host regular-season games around the world. For example, this year, just before the Opening Day, the Tokyo Series was hosted in Japan. The Dodgers and Cubs faced each other in Tokyo Dome. Before, there were London Series in the UK as well. This program, called “MLB World Tour,” is held every year.

But the World Series? It’s still the American thing.