"Pro Baseball Fan Stars League," which links live match updates in the style of "Family Stadium" with player support, to launch in March 2026; here's how it combines real cards and apps
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/952/G095244/20251009045/
Writer: New Continental Order | 2025/10/09 10:15 (UTC)
Bandai held the launch announcement event for “Pro Baseball FanStars League” on October 9, 2025, at MIRAIKEN Studio in Tokyo.
At the event, Bandai announced that its new “match-update synchronized” cheering card game, “Pro Baseball FanStars League” (iOS / Android), is scheduled to launch in March 2026. Additionally, a closed beta test will run from October 25 at 12:00 to November 4 at 11:59, and testers are being recruited until October 15 at 12:59.
This article covers the event atmosphere featuring guest appearances by comedy duo Batteryz and former professional baseball player and commentator Tomoya Sazaki.
“Pro Baseball FanStars League” combines a professional baseball match update app with a physical trading card game. Players collect cards of pro baseball players sealed in booster packs, then scan the QR codes on their backs to unlock identical versions within the app. According to Bandai Executive Officer and General Manager of the Card Business Division, Koji Tezuka, this content was conceived specifically to allow “pro baseball fans to further support their favorite teams and players.”
The app delivers live match updates using “Family Stadium”-style visuals and AI voice commentary, providing real-time broadcasting. Users can also access extensive data on players’ characteristics and statistics.
Producer Hiroo Nakamura, who presented “Pro Baseball FanStars League” Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
The main gameplay mode, “FanStars League,” synchronizes with live match updates and challenges players to compete against others based on scores earned through their team’s performance and abilities granted by individual cards. Specifically, users select a game and team they want to support on the day of play, build decks considering card stats listed on the back, then watch matches in real time—where skills activate automatically, allowing for score accumulation.
Players can swap cards in their deck with those on the bench during games, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of decks based on real-time game developments to maximize scores.
The sub-mode “VS1 (Versus One)” is a competitive card game playable both in-app and with physical cards. Players build their dream team from their personal collection by selecting favorite players, and the rules are simple.
The cards emphasize three key elements to appeal to baseball fans. First, “design quality,” with each card consolidating functionality for both the main game and VS1.
Second, “collectibility.” In addition to four rarity levels—Normal, Rare, Star Rare, and Super Star Rare—the game will include serial-numbered “Parallel Cards,” with special cards like signed versions also under consideration.
Third, “real-world and digital integration.” As previously mentioned, physical cards purchased in real life can be used within the app. Thus, collecting many cards by buying booster packs enables players to achieve higher scores in FanStars League.
The first booster pack will include sets for both the Central League and Pacific League Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
Cards can also be purchased in-game via gacha mechanics. Additionally, some cards are obtainable through in-game events Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
As noted at the beginning of this article, a closed beta test and tester recruitment were also announced Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
In the latter part of the event, guests Eisaku and Teruya from comedy duo Batteryz, along with Sazaki, appeared on stage. Having tried the app version in advance, all three expressed excitement about being able to view match updates not just through text but also via visuals, as well as choosing a team to support. In particular, Sazaki praised the ability for users to cheer for their favorite teams while building decks and competing with other players.
Eisaku (left) of Batteryz and Teruya (right) Image Gallery No.015 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
A moment where the guests actually interacted with the app was also featured Image Gallery No.017 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
Sazaki successfully drew a card of Hanshin’s Kojiro Kinomoto through the gacha system Image Gallery No.018 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
The guests also demonstrated the ability to check game developments and player statistics Image Gallery No.019 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
At the event, a special segment was held where guests guessed what happened next in past real games using historical data. Out of three questions presented, Sazaki successfully answered two by accurately reading the quizmaster’s intent.
Image Gallery No.020 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026 Image Gallery No.021 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
For the third question—where a home run was clearly expected—the challenge shifted to guessing specific game situations Image Gallery No.022 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026 Image Gallery No.023 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
The guests were also invited to propose new features they’d like added to “Pro Baseball FanStars League” for Tezuka. Regarding Teruya’s suggestion of a “Little League FanStars League,” Tezuka responded that he’d like to explore customizing users themselves into cards.
Regarding Eisaku’s idea of sending “Go get ’em!” messages to players, it was pointed out that this feature already exists in the app—but not for direct player messaging. Instead, it’s designed to help fans who support the same team or player connect and amplify excitement together.
Additionally, when Eisaku proposed further integration with stadium visuals so that messages could be delivered directly to players, Tezuka nodded thoughtfully and expressed clear interest.
Sazaki suggested enhancing real-world integration even further. For example, if a top player gets injured and is removed from the main roster for the season, their stats could be halved; or statistics like batting average, ERA, and home runs would be regularly updated throughout the season. According to Tezuka, this is indeed planned, though they are currently evaluating how best to determine players’ form.
A special segment where guests were turned into cards was also featured Image Gallery No.026 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026 Image Gallery No.027 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026 Image Gallery No.028 thumbnail / “FanStars League,” a real-card and app fusion game linking match updates with fan support in a “Family Stadium”-style format, launching March 2026
At the end of the event, Sazaki commented that “Pro Baseball FanStars League” offers multiple ways to enjoy: watching games while cheering via the app, collecting cards, and using them in gameplay. Teruya added that this could even engage people who aren’t deeply familiar with baseball. Eisaku suggested it might be fun for families—parents and children watching match updates together while kids play the game.