Major League Baseball (MLB) has signaled an electrifying 2025 season with the unveiling of its regular-season schedule, released during the culminating day of the 2024 All-Star break. Fans can now dive into the specifics of their favorite team's journey for the upcoming season, accessible through each team's official website.
Overseas Opening
The highly anticipated season will launch on foreign soil, with the Tokyo Dome hosting pivotal games on March 18-19. The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to clash with the Chicago Cubs in this riveting kickoff. Baseball aficionados will be treated to some high-caliber play from stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto representing the Dodgers, while Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki take the field for the Cubs.
This international series marks MLB's exciting return to Japan, the first since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened their 2019 season in Tokyo. It's a strategic move by MLB to continue expanding its global footprint, bringing America's pastime to fans worldwide.
Historic Opening Day
The traditional Opening Day is not far behind, slated for Thursday, March 27. All 30 teams will hit the ground running, marking the earliest traditional Opening Day in the annals of MLB history. However, only four of these matchups will be divisional rivalries, setting the stage for a diverse range of early-season confrontations.
The Oakland Athletics will start their campaign with a four-game series in Seattle. Adding a historical twist, the Athletics are also scheduled to play their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31, when they take on the Cubs in a three-game series. Fans in California's capital will get a rare chance to experience top-tier baseball in their city.
Rivalry Weekend
A highlight in the mid-season calendar is the "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18. It promises fireworks with 11 series involving division adversaries and four face-offs between geographic rivals. Intriguingly, some interleague matchups will extend to six games instead of the usual four, intensifying the competitive edge.
Rivalries have always been the heartbeat of MLB, and this special weekend is designed to amplify that passion, bringing fans an adrenaline-soaked series of games.
Mid-Season Festivities in Atlanta
As the season reaches its midpoint, all eyes will turn to Truist Park in Atlanta, the host for the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. This iconic event will be preceded by the Futures Game on July 12 and the 2025 MLB draft commencing on July 13. Adding to the spectacle, the Home Run Derby is slated for July 14, promising a showcase of the league's most prolific power hitters.
Race to the Postseason
The regular season is set to crescendo with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day will be headlined by eight pivotal divisional matchups, providing a potentially thrilling buildup to the postseason. The race to clinch playoff spots will undoubtedly keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The postseason action kicks off soon after, beginning on Tuesday, September 30. Teams will be vying for a coveted spot in the World Series, aiming to etch their names into the storied history of Major League Baseball.
While the 2025 schedule brings excitement and innovation, it had its share of adjustments. Initially, MLB had envisioned including games in Paris, but those plans did not materialize. Nevertheless, the Tokyo series stands as the sole international fixture, maintaining the league’s commitment to reaching international audiences.
As anticipation builds, fans can expect a season punctuated by historic firsts, intense rivalries, and showcase events, all culminating in what promises to be an unforgettable year of baseball. The 2025 MLB season is poised to deliver memorable moments, from its groundbreaking opening in Tokyo to the exhilarating competition for postseason glory.