The Japan Series champion Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles will open next season on the road against the Seibu Lions on March 28, the Pacific League announced Wednesday.

Rakuten won the pennant for the first time this season in its club’s ninth year in the league. Seibu finished second, but was eliminated in the first stage of the Climax Series.

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks will host the Chiba Lotte Marines, who came third in 2013, at Yafuoku Dome in their start to the 144-game season, including 24 interleague games. The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and the Orix Buffaloes will meet for the first time in 18 years on opening weekend at Sapporo Dome.