MLB Announces 2025 Schedule Highlighted by Overseas Kickoff and Historic Opening Day
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially rolled out its 2025 regular-season schedule, timed to coincide with the 2024 All-Star break's final day. Fans can now find their favorite team's specific slate of games on the respective official websites, as the anticipation for the upcoming season begins to build.
International Excitement in Tokyo
The 2025 MLB season is set to feature an international flair right from the get-go. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will take the diamond for the opening series at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This will be the first time MLB has played in Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners launched the 2019 season in Tokyo.
Japanese baseball enthusiasts have much to celebrate as local heroes Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto gear up to represent the Dodgers, while Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki will don the Cubs' colors in this high-stakes opener. This international showdown not only highlights MLB's global appeal but also reconnects fans with the league's rich history of international play.
Historic Traditional Opening Day
Following the Tokyo series, the traditional Opening Day is slated for Thursday, March 27. Notably, all 30 MLB teams will be in action, marking the earliest Opening Day in the annals of baseball. Only four of these matchups will be divisional games, creating varied action across the league.
The Athletics will face a particularly busy start. They will go head-to-head with the Seattle Mariners in a four-game series to kick off their season. Shortly afterward, they will make history by playing their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31. To cap this flurry of activity, the Athletics will compete against the Cubs in a three-game series commencing on March 31.
No Paris, But Rivalry Weekend to Sizzle
While the Tokyo series stands as the only international series for 2025, initial plans included games in Paris. Unfortunately, these ambitious plans did not materialize. However, MLB's season still promises plenty of scintillating action stateside.
"Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18, promises to be a major highlight of the season. This special weekend will feature 11 series of division rivals and four matchups of geographic rivals. Some interleague rivalries will see an intensified competition with six games instead of the usual four, ensuring that fans experience the high emotion and stakes that come with these historic clashes.
Midseason Festivities in Atlanta
The excitement continues into the midsummer classic. The 95th All-Star Game will be hosted at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. This midseason centerpiece will be preceded by several marquee events, including the Futures Game on July 12, the draft beginning on July 13, and the Home Run Derby scheduled for July 14. Fans can look forward to a full weekend-plus of All-Star festivities, celebrating the game's brightest stars and emerging talents.
Season's End and Postseason Outlook
The regular season will conclude on Sunday, September 28, with all 30 teams in action. The final day is set to feature eight divisional matchups, potentially decisive games that could shape playoff positioning. With the postseason commencing on Tuesday, September 30, the league ensures a seamless transition from the regular season to playoff fervor.
As MLB unveils a schedule packed with international intrigue, historic firsts, fierce rivalries, and midseason spectacles, the 2025 season promises to be remarkable from start to finish. Fans across the globe can now mark their calendars and prepare for a year of memorable baseball action.