Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire Ignite World Series Stage

Pharrell Brings Fire to the Fall Classic

Before baseball’s brightest stars, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer, took the field for Game One of the 2025 World Series, the night belonged to Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire.

Broadcast live from Rogers Centre in Toronto on FOX, FOX Deportes, and ESPN Radio, the performance reached a global audience across more than 200 countries. With 13 GRAMMY Awards, an Oscar nomination, and his current role as Creative Director for Louis Vuitton menswear, Pharrell once again demonstrated his ability to transcend industries—this time merging faith, artistry, and sport.

A Sonic Celebration of Unity

Pharrell teamed up with Bishop Ezekiel Williams and the celebrated gospel group Voices of Fire to deliver a soul-stirring opening ceremony. Their performance featured “ARE YOU READY?” and “THE ONE” from their latest album OPHANIM, available exclusively at voicesoffire.com.

The collaboration between Pharrell, Major League Baseball, and Emmy-winning Jesse Collins Entertainment (helmed by Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Seth Dudowsky) brought themes of unity and global togetherness. The creative direction fused musical excellence with the shared spirit of competition that defines the World Series.

Voices of Fire Lift Two Nations

Adding a special touch to the international stage, Voices of Fire performed both the U.S. and Canadian national anthems. Their rendition of “O Canada” featured accompaniment from a local Toronto orchestra, symbolizing harmony across borders.

The performance echoed MLB’s ongoing effort to reflect the game’s diverse and global fanbase.

“This year’s Fall Classic celebrates how baseball—and music—bring people together from every corner of the world,” said a representative for MLB’s broadcast team.

“October Hits Different”

Pharrell’s creative fingerprint was also present throughout MLB’s postseason campaign, October Hits Different. The initiative blended sound and sport, using “ARE YOU READY?” as the sonic backbone for highlight reels and promos that showcased the intensity and artistry of playoff baseball.

In a cinematic promotional piece, Pharrell, Voices of Fire, and a 25-piece orchestra filled an empty stadium with music, connecting the emotion of the game to the rhythm of performance. The campaign mirrored the very essence of the postseason—every hit, every note, and every moment “hits different.”

Global Broadcast of the Game’s Grandest Stage

The 121st Fall Classic, presented by Capital One, marked the matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. FOX Sports led the coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET, with additional broadcasts across FOX Deportes, FOX One, MLB.TV, ESPN Radio, and Sportsnet Canada.

Across MLB Network, fans can tune into award-winning programs such as MLB Tonight, MLB Central, MLB Now, and Intentional Talk, while Univision Radio extended Spanish-language coverage for international audiences.

A Defining Moment for Music and Sport

As fans filled the Rogers Centre and millions watched worldwide, Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire transformed the opening ceremony into a powerful display of sound and spirit. Their performance served as a reminder that the World Series is more than a competition—it’s a cultural moment.

By merging gospel harmonies with Pharrell’s visionary artistry, the event underscored baseball’s power to connect hearts, nations, and generations.

Here are some looks at the magic!!!