Major League Baseball (MLB) has revealed its comprehensive 2025 regular-season schedule, adding an extra layer of excitement to fans and players alike. The announcement, strategically timed on the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, offers a glimpse into an action-packed season.
Opening in Tokyo
The 2025 campaign will kick off with a historic overseas series at Tokyo Dome, with games on March 18-19. This eagerly anticipated event will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Chicago Cubs. Notably, this series will spotlight some of the league’s brightest stars, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki representing the Cubs. This marks MLB's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
March 27: A Historic Opening Day
Following the Tokyo series, the traditional Opening Day will commence on Thursday, March 27. All 30 teams will take the field, making it the earliest scheduled Opening Day in MLB history. Fans can expect a thrilling start to the season, although it’s worth noting that only four of the matchups on this day will be divisional contests.
Action Across the States
The Oakland Athletics initiate their season with a four-game series in Seattle. This will be followed by a significant milestone for the team as they play their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31. The Athletics will then face the Cubs in a three-game series starting that same day.
Limited International Engagements
Despite hopes for a more globally diverse schedule, the Tokyo Series remains the sole international series for 2025. MLB had initially planned to include games in Paris; however, these plans did not come to fruition.
Rivalry Weekend
One of the season’s highlights, "Rivalry Weekend," is scheduled for May 16-18. This weekend will feature 11 series involving division rivals along with four series comprising geographic rivalries. In some cases, interleague rivals will go head-to-head in six games instead of the customary four, providing an extra dose of competition and excitement.
All-Star Festivities in Atlanta
Mid-season attention will turn to Truist Park in Atlanta, which will host the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The All-Star festivities will kick into gear with the Futures Game on July 12, followed by the 2025 draft starting on July 13. The fan-favorite Home Run Derby will take place on July 14.
September Showdowns
The regular season will draw to a dramatic close with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day is set to amplify the playoff-bound excitement with eight divisional matchups. The postseason will swiftly follow, beginning on Tuesday, September 30, as teams vie for a coveted spot in the World Series.
With this meticulously crafted schedule, MLB has ensured that the 2025 season will be filled with exceptional games, storied rivalries, and historic moments. From the unique international opening to the climactic regular-season conclusion, baseball fans around the globe have much to look forward to.