Major League Baseball (MLB) has unveiled its 2025 regular-season schedule, marking an exciting moment for baseball fans worldwide. The announcement was made during the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, signaling the countdown to an eagerly anticipated season.
The individual schedules for each team are now accessible on their official websites, allowing fans to start planning for a season filled with thrilling matchups and historic moments.
Opening Overseas
The 2025 season will commence overseas with an international flair, as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This opening series promises to be a spectacle, featuring star-studded lineups from both teams. The Dodgers' roster will include Japanese sensations Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs will counter with Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki. This event marks MLB's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo, further strengthening baseball’s global reach.
The Earliest Opening Day
Following the Tokyo series, the traditional Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, a date that will go down in history as the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history. All 30 teams will be in action, setting the stage for a full slate of games to kick off the season. However, only four of these matchups will be divisional rivalries, adding a unique twist to the opening festivities.
Athletics' Unique Start
The Oakland Athletics have an intriguing start to their season. They will begin with a four-game series in Seattle, followed by a historic first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31. This game kicks off a three-game series against the Cubs, making it a significant milestone for the Athletics franchise.
International Aspirations and Rivalry Weekend
While the Tokyo series remains the sole international series on the 2025 schedule, MLB had initially hoped to include games in Paris. Unfortunately, those plans fell through, leaving fans to look forward to future international expansions.
The season is also set to feature a "Rivalry Weekend" from May 16-18, showcasing 11 series involving division rivals and four geographic rivalries. This weekend promises to deliver intense and passionate battles, with some interleague rivals facing off in six games instead of the customary four. Fans can expect high-stakes drama as teams vie for divisional supremacy.
Midseason Festivities in Atlanta
Atlanta's Truist Park is set to host the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The midseason classic will be preceded by a series of events, starting with the Futures Game on July 12. The 2025 MLB Draft will begin on July 13, followed by the Home Run Derby on July 14, culminating in the All-Star Game. These festivities will bring together the best talents in baseball, providing fans with a week of unforgettable experiences.
Season's End and Postseason Beginnings
The regular season will draw to a close with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. This final day will feature eight divisional matchups, ensuring a dramatic end to the regular season as teams battle for their playoff spots. The postseason is set to commence shortly after, on Tuesday, September 30, promising another exhilarating run to the World Series.
With a schedule that combines international games, historic milestones, and intense rivalries, the 2025 MLB season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Fans can look forward to a year filled with top-notch baseball action and memorable moments, reinforcing why MLB remains a beloved sport around the globe.