MLB Announces 2025 Season Schedule
On the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, Major League Baseball (MLB) has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 regular-season schedule. Baseball fans can now view each team's individual schedule on their official websites, offering a glimpse into the exciting matchups awaiting them.
Opening Abroad in Tokyo
The 2025 season will kick off with an international flair, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs face off at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This marks MLB's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo, bringing major-league action back to enthusiastic Japanese fans.
The opening series promises plenty of star power, featuring Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, while Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki will represent the Cubs. These games are set to be a grand spectacle, highlighting some of the best talents in baseball on an international stage.
Earliest Traditional Opening Day
Following the Tokyo games, the traditional Opening Day will commence on Thursday, March 27. Remarkably, this will be the earliest Opening Day in the history of Major League Baseball. All 30 teams are scheduled to be in action, providing a full slate of games for eager fans.
Notably, there will be only four divisional matchups on this historic Opening Day. For example, the Athletics will begin their season with a four-game series in Seattle, setting the stage for an intense start to the division rivalry.
Historic Debuts and International Series
Another highlight of the 2025 schedule is the Oakland Athletics playing their first-ever game in Sacramento. This game, part of a three-game series against the Cubs, will take place on Monday, March 31, adding a unique milestone to the team’s season.
While the Tokyo Series is the only international series on the 2025 schedule, MLB had initially planned to include games in Paris. Unfortunately, those plans did not materialize, making the Tokyo games even more significant as MLB’s sole international showcase.
Rivalry Weekend
A major feature of the 2025 schedule is "Rivalry Weekend," set to occur from May 16-18. This special event will see 15 hotly-contested series, consisting of 11 division rivalries and four geographic rivalries. Moreover, some interleague rivals will engage in six-game series instead of the customary four, intensifying the competitive spirit of the weekend.
All-Star Festivities in Atlanta
The midseason break will feature the 95th All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. A staple of the baseball calendar, the All-Star festivities will also include the Futures Game on July 12, followed by the start of the 2025 draft on July 13, and culminating with the highly-anticipated Home Run Derby on July 14.
Season's End and Postseason
The regular season will draw to a close with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day’s games will feature eight divisional matchups, setting the stage for last-minute shifts in the standings and playoff positioning.
The postseason is slated to begin on Tuesday, September 30, promising an exhilarating conclusion to what is poised to be an unforgettable season of Major League Baseball.