Several musical icons graced the stage at the 2025 World Series in Toronto as Pharrell Williams and the Jonas Brothers delivered standout performances during the historic championship series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers.
The Rogers Centre, hosting its first World Series in 32 years, welcomed these high-profile entertainers as part of MLB’s ceremonial and charitable initiatives surrounding the games.
For Game 1, Pharrell Williams took center stage with the Virginia-based gospel choir Voices of Fire, a group he formed with his uncle, Bishop Ezekiel Williams, five years earlier through a Netflix competition series.
Their pre-game performance celebrated baseball’s themes of unity and togetherness, setting a powerful tone for the championship opener. The choir also performed both national anthems, collaborating with local Toronto orchestra members for the Canadian anthem “O Canada,” showcasing a cross-cultural musical tribute fitting for the international matchup.
Game 2 featured the Jonas Brothers performing “I Can’t Lose,” Mastercard’s campaign anthem for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), following the fifth inning. Their appearance coincided with MLB’s renewed partnership with the cancer awareness organization, culminating in the emotional SU2C placard moment where players, umpires, and fans throughout the stadium held up cards honoring those affected by cancer.
The Jonas Brothers’ fifth-inning performance of “I Can’t Lose” highlighted MLB’s touching partnership with Stand Up To Cancer during the emotional placard ceremony.
The segment aired live on FOX as part of the U.S. broadcast coverage.
“These performances highlight MLB’s commitment to integrating meaningful entertainment with social causes during our premier event,” an MLB spokesperson noted. The musical contributions added cultural significance to Toronto’s long-awaited World Series return, which was broadcast across multiple networks including FOX, ESPN Radio, and Univision in the United States, and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
Prior to the live performances, Pharrell and Voices of Fire had appeared in a taped postseason orchestral rendition of “Are You Ready?” filmed in an empty stadium, building anticipation for their World Series appearance. Both artists leveraged social media platforms to promote their performances, significantly boosting audience engagement and viewership across streaming services.
The 121st Fall Classic also featured Joe Carter’s appearance as the ceremonial first pitch thrower for Game Two, honoring the Blue Jays legend who is a five-time MLB All-Star and two-time World Series Champion.
The artists’ participation not only enhanced the event’s entertainment value but also created sync licensing opportunities for their music to be featured in broadcast highlights and promotional content.
The musical programming reinforced the historic significance of Toronto’s return to baseball’s biggest stage after more than three decades. The opening game was scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on October 27, 2025, giving fans ample time to tune in for the pre-game festivities.
