MLB Announces 2025 Regular-Season Schedule with Overseas Opener
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially released the 2025 regular-season schedule, coinciding with the final day of the 2024 All-Star break. For fans eagerly awaiting next year’s matchups, each team's individual schedule is now accessible on their official websites. This highly anticipated release revealed several notable highlights that promise an exciting season ahead.
Overseas Opener at the Tokyo Dome
The 2025 season will have a unique start with games set to be played on March 18-19 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. This marks MLB's return to Japan for the first time since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo. The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Chicago Cubs in these opening games, a series that will feature some prominent international talent.
Fans will have the chance to see Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs showcasing their skills. This series not only highlights MLB’s global reach but also brings an exciting start to the season for international and domestic fans alike.
Traditional Opening Day and Early Start
Following the Tokyo Series, the traditional Opening Day will commence on Thursday, March 27, with all 30 teams in action. This date is notable as it will be the earliest traditional Opening Day in baseball history. Among the initial matchups, there will be only four divisional clashes, setting the stage for a diverse array of games to kick off the season.
The Oakland Athletics will start their season with a four-game series in Seattle. The team’s schedule is particularly noteworthy as it includes their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31. The Athletics will also face the Cubs in a three-game series starting on March 31.
Exciting Series and Rivalry Weekend
The Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs is the only international series on the 2025 schedule. Although MLB had originally hoped to include games in Paris, those plans ultimately fell through. However, the season will still feature numerous exciting matchups, including the highly anticipated “Rivalry Weekend” set to take place from May 16-18.
Rivalry Weekend will consist of 11 series involving division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries, providing fans with intense and thrilling matchups. Some interleague rivals will face off in six games instead of the customary four, adding an extra layer of competition to the season.
All-Star Events in Atlanta
The midpoint of the season will bring the 95th All-Star Game to Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. Before this marquee event, the Futures Game is scheduled for July 12, followed by the 2025 draft beginning on July 13. Additionally, the exhilarating Home Run Derby will take place on July 14, completing a packed schedule of All-Star festivities.
Closing the Regular Season and Entering the Postseason
The regular season is planned to conclude with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day will feature eight divisional matchups, ensuring a dramatic finish as teams vie for postseason positions. The postseason is then set to begin on Tuesday, September 30, promising an electrifying conclusion to a season filled with memorable moments.
The unveiling of the 2025 MLB schedule offers an early glimpse into a year that is shaping up to be extraordinary for baseball fans worldwide. With an international start, historic early Opening Day, and intriguing series throughout, the upcoming season is set to deliver all the excitement and drama that defines Major League Baseball.