One Piece’s Luffy to throw first pitch at Boston Red Sox game on May 3

One Piece is joining hands with one of America’s biggest baseball teams — the Boston Red Sox — for a special event on Saturday, May 3. Monkey D. Luffy, the main hero of One Piece, will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Red Sox play against the Minnesota Twins. This is a historic moment as it’s the first time in One Piece’s 25-year journey that Luffy will step onto a real baseball field. Over 6,000 fans have bought special tickets, which sold out very quickly. It shows how popular One Piece has become, even outside Japan.
The event will happen at Fenway Park, one of the most famous baseball stadiums in the United States. Gates will open early at 1:40 PM (ET), and the day will be full of anime-themed activities. Fans can join a One Piece meet-up at the Sam Adams Deck, take photos with mascots dressed as Luffy and Chopper, and try out the One Piece card game at the Big Concourse.
Before the 4:10 PM match begins, Luffy (in costume) will walk out to the pitch and throw the first ball. This kind of ceremonial pitch is a big deal in American baseball and is usually given to celebrities or honoured guests.
All fans with special event tickets will get a Red Sox x One Piece baseball jersey. VIP fans will also receive a matching cap. These collectables are only available at the event.
This is not the first time One Piece has teamed up with a sports team. In the past, it partnered with the LA Rams (American football), Seattle Mariners (baseball), and even Germany’s football club Borussia Dortmund.
This collaboration also comes after the anime’s return with new episodes from the Egghead Island arc, which began airing on April 6, 2025. It shows that One Piece is growing bigger than ever, and now reaching fans across sports, entertainment, and beyond.