SoftBank Hawks' victory parade set for Nov. 22 in Fukuoka
In short
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will hold their Pacific League championship parade on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. in central Fukuoka, the executive committee announced on Oct. 7. The roughly 2.3-kilometer route runs from near the Doi-dori intersection to near the Heiwadai intersection, the same as last year. About 290,000 spectators are expected, according to the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun, matching last year's turnout.
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The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' victory parade for their third consecutive Pacific League title will take place on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. in central Fukuoka, the executive committee announced on Oct. 7. The parade will start near the intersection of Meiji-dori and Doi-dori in Hakata Ward and finish near the Heiwadai intersection in Chuo Ward, a route of about 2.3 kilometers, according to the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The route is the same as last year's, the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. Manager Hiroki Kokubo and main players will ride in open cars and buses, Mainichi Shimbun reported. Traffic restrictions will be in place, and about 290,000 spectators are expected along the route, the same as last year, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The committee meeting was held in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, on Oct. 7, TBS NEWS DIG reported. TBS NEWS DIG also reported that the Hawks won this season with 91 victories, the most in both leagues. [ 2 ]
The Hawks' league title is their 22nd, including 10 in the Nankai era and three in the Daiei era, Mainichi Shimbun reported. Counting two titles in the single-league era, it is the 24th. The three-peat is the third in club history and the first in 60 years since the Nankai era in 1966; it is the first since the team moved to Fukuoka in 1989. [ 3 ]
About 290,000 people attended the 2025 parade, Mainichi Shimbun reported. SoftBank drew 2,811,356 spectators over 72 home games this season, a club record, Mainichi Shimbun reported. From Oct. 14, the team will play in the Climax Series final stage at Mizuho PayPay Dome for a place in the Japan Series, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The parade is a major public event in Fukuoka, drawing about 290,000 people last year, and the Hawks are preparing for the Climax Series final stage from Oct. 14 as they seek a third straight Japan Series appearance. The club also set a home attendance record this season, underlining its large local following.
Key facts
- The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks won their third consecutive Pacific League title. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The victory parade will be held on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. in central Fukuoka. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The route is about 2.3 km, from near the Doi-dori intersection in Hakata Ward to near the Heiwadai intersection in Chuo Ward, and follows the same course as last year. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The executive committee announced the parade decision on Oct. 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Manager Hiroki Kokubo and main players will ride in open cars and buses. [ 1 , 3 ]
- About 290,000 people attended the 2025 parade, and a similar turnout is expected this year. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Traffic restrictions will be in place on the day. [ 1 ]
- The Hawks will play in the Climax Series final stage from Oct. 14 at Mizuho PayPay Dome. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks won their third consecutive Pacific League title. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The team's victory parade will be held on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. in central Fukuoka. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The parade route runs about 2.3 km from near the Doi-dori intersection in Hakata Ward to near the Heiwadai intersection in Chuo Ward. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Hawks' victory celebration parade executive committee announced the decision on Oct. 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Main players will ride in open cars and buses. [ 1 , 3 ]
- About 290,000 spectators attended the 2025 parade, and organizers expect a similar number this year. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact expected number of spectators for this year's parade. The Nishi-Nippon Shimbun says organizers expect about the same as last year's roughly 290,000, while Mainichi Shimbun reports only the 2025 figure; no outlet gives a precise 2026 projection.
- The number of league titles and the length of the championship gap. Only Mainichi Shimbun reports the 22nd title, the 24th including the single-league era, and the first three-peat in 60 years.
- The Hawks' 91 wins being the most in both leagues this season. Stated only by TBS NEWS DIG's summary.
- Whether the Hawks will reach the Japan Series. Documents say only that the team will play in the Climax Series final stage from Oct. 14; the result is not reported.
- TBS NEWS DIG's summary appears cut off. It ends mid-date at “11月2”, while the other outlets report Nov. 22.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports the executive committee announced the parade for Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. [ 1 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports the committee met in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, and decided to hold the parade. [ 2 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reports the parade date and adds the team's title history and attendance record. [ 3 ]
- Parade scheduled to start on Nov. 22 from near the Meiji-dori and Doi-dori intersection in Fukuoka. [ 1 , 3 ]