MLB Announces 2025 Regular-Season Schedule
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially revealed its complete schedule for the 2025 regular season, presenting fans with a diverse array of matchups and events, underscoring the global reach and evolving traditions of the sport. The announcement came on the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, signaling the league's forward-looking approach as it introduced some captivating highlights for the upcoming year.
Opening Season in Tokyo
The 2025 season will commence with an international flair as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs face off at the iconic Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 18-19. This anticipated series marks MLB's exciting return to Japanese soil for the first time since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners inaugurated the 2019 season in Tokyo. The matchups promise high levels of excitement, featuring standout players such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs.
Historic Opening Day
After the international thrill in Tokyo, the traditional Opening Day is set to kick off on Thursday, March 27. Notably, this will be the earliest date for Opening Day in baseball history. All 30 MLB teams will be in action, offering fans a full slate of games. However, only four of these matchups will be divisional, providing an interesting twist to the season's start.
The Oakland Athletics will begin their 2025 campaign with a four-game series in Seattle, followed by playing their inaugural game in Sacramento on March 31, where they will start a three-game series against the Cubs.
International Series and Changes
While the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs remains the sole international matchup on the 2025 docket, MLB had initially aimed to expand its global footprint with games in Paris. Unfortunately, those plans did not materialize, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
Rivalry Weekend
A highlight for fans will be the "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18. This special weekend will feature 11 series pitting division rivals against each other and an additional four series based on geographic rivalries. Adding to the competitive edge, some interleague rivalries will expand to six games, as opposed to the traditional four.
All-Star Festivities
The mid-season break will still prominently feature the All-Star festivities, anchored by the 95th All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15. The Futures Game will lead off the events on July 12, followed by the 2025 MLB Draft starting on July 13. Fans can also look forward to the Home Run Derby, slated for July 14, which never fails to deliver exhilarating moments.
Season's End and Postseason
The 2025 regular season will wrap up dramatically, with all 30 teams playing on the final day, Sunday, September 28. This date will feature eight critical divisional matchups, potentially deciding playoff positions and seeding right up to the last pitch. The postseason is set to get underway on Tuesday, September 30, as teams vie for a spot in the World Series.
Overall, the 2025 MLB schedule promises a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, offering something exciting for every baseball fan worldwide. Whether it is the opening games in Tokyo, the earliest Opening Day ever, or the intense rivalry matchups, the upcoming season is poised to deliver unforgettable moments and a riveting journey from start to finish.