Major League Baseball (MLB) has once again captured the excitement of fans by unveiling the 2025 regular-season schedule during the final day of the 2024 All-Star break. Enthusiasts can now access each team's individual schedule on their official websites and start marking their calendars for the thrilling matchups ahead.
A Global Kickoff
The 2025 season will commence with a touch of international flair, beginning overseas with games on March 18-19 at the illustrious Tokyo Dome. These opening games will see the Los Angeles Dodgers squaring off against the Chicago Cubs, featuring two standout players from each team. Fans will be eagerly watching as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs, take the field.
This series will mark MLB's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo, a much-anticipated comeback that underscores the league's commitment to global reach and fan engagement.
Opening Day Traditions
After the overseas excitement, traditional Opening Day festivities are set to begin on Thursday, March 27. Notably, this will be the earliest traditional Opening Day in the history of baseball. The anticipation is further amplified as all 30 MLB teams will be in action, sparking a simultaneous celebration across stadiums nationwide.
A mere four divisional matchups will highlight this initial action-packed day. The Athletics, in particular, are set to begin their season with a notable four-game series in Seattle. Moreover, the Athletics will play a historic first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31, continuing to draw the attention of Bay Area baseball enthusiasts. This inaugural game will be part of a three-game series against the Cubs starting the same day.
International Series and Rivalry Weekend
The Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs is noteworthy as it stands as the sole international series on the 2025 schedule. While MLB had initially aspired to include games in Paris, those plans unfortunately did not materialize.
Adding another chapter to the competitive chronicles, "Rivalry Weekend" is slated for May 16-18, becoming one of the most anticipated segments of the season. This weekend will showcase 11 series involving division rivals and four series featuring geographic rivalries. The intriguing twist comes as some interleague rivals will engage in a six-game showdown instead of the customary four, promising heightened drama and intense competition.
All-Star Festivities and Season Finale
A highlight of the summer months, the 95th All-Star Game will be hosted at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The festivities leading up to the All-Star Game include the Futures Game on July 12, the 2025 draft starting on July 13, and the ever-popular Home Run Derby set for July 14. It's an all-encompassing celebration of talent, from rising stars to established power hitters.
The regular season will culminate with all 30 teams taking the field on Sunday, September 28. This final day bristles with tension, featuring eight divisional matchups that could invariably determine postseason berths. The postseason itself is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 30, just two days after the conclusion of the regular season, ensuring that the momentum of competition continues seamlessly.
With the 2025 MLB season schedule now unveiled, fans are infused with a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation. The balance of international appeal, traditional rivalries, and marquee events not only promises a captivating season but also underscores MLB's dedication to expanding the sport's horizon and enriching the fan experience on a global scale.