New England and Japan enjoy opening ceremonies for the Little League Baseball World Series at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport, PA on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

The 2025 Little League World Series is known for high-octane baseball and Day 1 did not disappoint.

The first two games of the day each gave fans a chance to witness two elite squads in Venezuela and Nevada. Each team dominated their contests, winning by a combined score of 21-1. Panama followed suit and beat Australia, 7-2. The game also included the first home run of the tournament.

Day 2 is sure to bring similar energy with four more games on tap. To start, the Europe-Africa region representative Czechia will look to topple an international favorite in Japan. That will be followed up with an American contest between the reps from Massachusetts and South Carolina. The final two games will feature showdowns between Mexico and Chinese Taipei followed by South Dakota taking on Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania certainly has a lot to live up to after its softball counterparts ended up winning the Little League Softball World Series.

Winners from each of these games will immediately advance to their respective bracket quarterfinals, just four wins away from an LLWS title. Meanwhile, the losers will need to win seven consecutive games for a Williamsport championship.

USA TODAY Sports will have live updates as the games begin. So stay tuned for scores, updates and highlights from the first day of LLWS games.

LLWS 2025 scores, schedule today

This section will be updated when games begin. All times ET.

United States bracket

Thursday, Aug. 14

  • Game 6: Braintree, Massachusetts (New England) v. Irmo, South Carolina (Southeast): 3 p.m. @ Lamade
  • Game 8: Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Midwest) v. Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

International Bracket

Thursday, August 14

  • Game 5: Japan 12, Czechia 0
  • Game 7: Chinese Taipei v. Mexico: 5 p.m. @ Volunteer

Massachusetts vs. South Carolina up next

Thursday's second game of the day will pit Braintree, Massachusetts, the representative from New England, will take on Irmo, South Carolina from the Southeast.

Japan 12, Czechia 0

Japan scored nine runs in the second inning, and three pitchers combined to allow only one Czechia baserunner in a four-inning rout. Japan had 10 players notch at least one hit, and eight with at least one RBI. Yushi Yamamoto had a triple and three RBI, and Taisei Suzuki had a hit, a walk and drove in two. Kensei Takeuchi got the start for Japan and didn't allow a baserunner in 2.1 innings. He struck out six.

What time is the Little League World Series today?

The first game Thursday is at 1 p.m. ET with the final game starting at 7 p.m. ET, with Sioux Falls, South Dakota, taking on Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania, to conclude the day.

Little League World Series 2025: TV, time and how to watch

The Little League World Series begins Wednesday with four games across the U.S. and international brackets. Games will be presented across ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Viewers can also watch with Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

  • Times: Coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET with the final game starting at 7 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN
  • Streaming: ESPN+ (international games), Fubo

Watch the Little League World Series with Fubo

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Little League World Series 2025: Live scores, highlights, updates Thursday

Reporting by Jon Hoefling and Casey L. Moore, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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