Hanshin Koshien Stadium Holds Night Mound Pitching Event on December 6 for 60 Participants

Hanshin Koshien Stadium will hold the "Hanshin Koshien Stadium Night Mound Pitching Event" (阪神甲子園球場 ナイターマウンド投球イベント) on December 6 (Sunday), 2026, with places for 60 participants. Held to give many people a memorable experience at Koshien, the event is a special program that is popular every year, letting participants throw from the mound at this "sacred ground" of baseball, an experience not normally available.

While a stadium announcer calls out each participant's name, pitchers throw in the night-time atmosphere of the lit-up stadium. Companions can stand on the dirt part of the field and watch the pitching experience. On the day, a professional photographer will also take pictures of each pitcher, and the photos can be purchased later on a dedicated site.

Event Overview

Event: Hanshin Koshien Stadium Night Mound Pitching Event

Date: December 6 (Sunday), 2026

Venue: Hanshin Koshien Stadium

Official website: https://koshien.hanshin.co.jp/

Schedule

The event is held in six sessions on December 6 (Sunday), each lasting about 60 minutes.

1. 5:30 PM
2. 6:00 PM
3. 6:30 PM
4. 7:00 PM
5. 7:30 PM
6. 8:00 PM

Number of Participants

Each session has 10 pitchers, for a total of 60 participants. If applications exceed capacity, winners will be chosen by lottery.

What the Event Includes

1. Catch in the third-base-side bullpen

• Companions are asked to help with the catch.
• If there is no companion, or if a companion is unable to play catch, staff will assist.

2. Pitching from the mound (3 pitches per person)

• When a pitcher steps onto the mound, the stadium announcer calls out their name, and the pitch speed is measured.
• Companions can watch from the dirt part of the field. In rainy weather, they will watch from inside the bullpen.
• Taking home dirt from the field is not allowed.
• Depending on field conditions, such as rain, pitching from the mound may be canceled and moved to the first-base-side bullpen or elsewhere. If pitching from the mound isn't possible, the announcement by the announcer will not be part of the experience.
• Participants with their own glove and ball are asked to bring them. Those without can borrow them free of charge.

3. Koshien Historical Museum (甲子園歴史館) visit (self-guided)

• Available until January 31, 2027 (Sunday).
• Show the event ticket at the museum's reception desk.
• Re-entry is not allowed once you have entered the museum.
• On the event day, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM).

4. BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN one-activity ticket

• Choose one activity from toss batting or pitching.
• Available until January 31, 2027 (Sunday).
• Show the event ticket at the BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN reception desk.
• On the event day, BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last reception 5:40 PM).

Fees

• Pitcher: ¥5,000
• Companion: ¥2,500

All prices include tax.

• The fee includes admission to the Koshien Historical Museum and the BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN one-activity ticket.
• Members of the Rekishikan Club (歴史館倶楽部) receive a discount. Members should purchase through the dedicated URL.
• For tickets bought with the member discount, the membership card will be checked on the day. Those who can't show it will need to pay the difference from the regular price.
• A separate system fee and ticket issuing fee apply.
• Pitchers must be 4 years old or older.
• Companions can't take part in the pitching experience or have their name announced.
• Up to 4 companions can be added to one application, and applying with no companions is also possible.
• The companion fee applies to those 4 years old and older. Children under 4 can take part free of charge.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/koshienrekishikan-mp/

Application period: November 3 (Tuesday, public holiday), 10:00 AM to November 15 (Sunday), 11:59 PM, 2026

• Free registration as a Lawson Web member is required in advance.
• Applications are accepted online only.
• Multiple preferred time slots can be selected.
• If applications exceed capacity, winners will be chosen by lottery.
• Changes to the application after submission, cancellations after winning, and refunds are not possible.
• Lottery results can be checked from around 3:00 PM on November 20 (Friday).
• Payment of the participation fee is by credit card only.
• The payment is charged at the time of winning.
• Winners will receive a separate email with details for the day. Those who use domain-based or address-based email filtering should make sure they can receive emails from "l-tike.com" and "ent.lawson.co.jp".

Ticket Exchange

Exchange period: From 3:00 PM on November 20 (Friday) until the start time of each session

Tickets must be exchanged within this period and brought on the day.

Commemorative Photo Service

A professional photographer will take photos of each pitcher during the pitch, and the photos will be sold on a dedicated page at a later date. Purchasing photos costs extra (2L size from ¥800).

The image is for illustration purposes.

Notes

• The event may be canceled, or its content or start time may be changed, depending on circumstances.
• The organizer is not responsible for any accidents or injuries that occur during the event.
• Please refrain from reselling tickets.
• Resold tickets are invalid, and entry may be refused.
• Pitchers and companions should wear clothing that is easy to move in. No changing space is provided.
• Details entered in the application (pitchers, companions, and so on) can't be changed.

Koshien Historical Museum

Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November to February); 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (March to October)

• Entry is allowed until 30 minutes before closing.
• Hours may change depending on events.

Closed: Mondays (except game days and public holidays); year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 (Monday) to January 3, 2027 (Sunday)); maintenance closure (February 15 (Monday) to February 22 (Monday), 2027)

Admission: Adults ¥900, high school students ¥700, children ¥500

Phone: 0798-49-4509 (during business hours only)

Official website: https://koshien-rekishikan.hanshin.co.jp/

BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN

Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (November to February); 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (March to October)

• Reception closes 20 minutes before closing time.
• Hours may change depending on events.

Closed: Mondays (except game days and public holidays); year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 (Monday) to January 3, 2027 (Sunday)); maintenance closure (February 15 (Monday) to February 22 (Monday), 2027)

Fees: 3-activity set ¥1,200, 2-activity set ¥900, and others (on special-rate days, only the 3-activity set at ¥1,500 is available)

Phone: 0798-42-6970 (during business hours only)

Official website: https://be-stadiumkoshien.hanshin.co.jp/