MLB Unveils 2025 Season Schedule with Historic Opening in Tokyo
Major League Baseball (MLB) has released its 2025 regular-season schedule, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2024 All-Star break. The announcement reveals a series of compelling matchups and significant dates that promise a thrilling season ahead for fans and players alike.
Opening Games in Tokyo
Kicking off the 2025 season, MLB returns to Japan for the first time since 2019. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will face off in a highly anticipated series at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. This event marks a significant homecoming for Japanese baseball fans, featuring prominent Japanese players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs. The series in Tokyo not only highlights MLB’s global reach but also underscores its commitment to growing the game internationally.
The traditional Opening Day will follow on Thursday, March 27, with all 30 teams in action. This date is notable for being the earliest traditional Opening Day in baseball history. With only four divisional matchups scheduled, fans can expect an action-packed day filled with a diverse array of teams competing to start their seasons on a high note.
Athletics’ Historic Season Start
Among the early highlights of the season, the Oakland Athletics will begin their campaign with a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners. Following this, the Athletics have a landmark game scheduled on March 31, where they will play their first-ever match in Sacramento. This game marks the beginning of a three-game series against the Cubs, presenting a unique opportunity for Sacramento fans to witness Major League action up close.
Rivalry Weekend
One of the most awaited events on the MLB calendar, “Rivalry Weekend,” is set for May 16-18. This weekend will showcase 11 series featuring division rivals battling for supremacy, alongside four geographic rivalry series that will heighten local and regional tensions. Additionally, some interleague rivals will clash in six-game series instead of the traditional four, adding extra intensity to these encounters.
All-Star Festivities in Atlanta
Baseball aficionados have much to look forward to with the 95th All-Star Game scheduled for July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The All-Star festivities will commence with the Futures Game on July 12, aiming to spotlight the brightest young talents in the sport. This will be followed by the MLB Draft beginning on July 13, where the next generation of baseball stars will find new homes. The much-anticipated Home Run Derby is set for July 14, promising to deliver the jaw-dropping power displays that fans have come to love.
Regular Season Climax and Postseason Start
The 2025 regular season will conclude dramatically, with all 30 teams taking the field on Sunday, September 28. The final day's schedule includes eight divisional matchups, ensuring that the race for postseason spots could come down to the wire. This setup heightens the stakes, potentially leading to a thrilling finish to the regular season.
The postseason is slated to begin on Tuesday, September 30. As teams gear up for the October chase, fans can expect a month filled with the high-intensity action and dramatic moments that define baseball’s most exciting stretch.
Noteworthy Misses
While the 2025 schedule boasts a variety of highlights, one notable absence is the international game in Paris. MLB had initially hoped to host games in the French capital, but those plans ultimately did not materialize. Despite this, the Tokyo series stands as a testament to MLB's continual efforts to expand its global footprint.
As the countdown to the first pitch of the 2025 season begins, fans can delve into their favorite teams' schedules, now accessible on their official websites. The anticipation builds for what promises to be yet another unforgettable season in Major League Baseball.