Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially announced the 2025 regular-season schedule, releasing it during the final day of the 2024 All-Star break. Fans can now view individual schedules for each team on their respective official websites, marking an exciting time for baseball enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.
An International Kickoff
The 2025 season is set to start with a global flair as MLB heads to Japan. On March 18-19, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will take the field at the iconic Tokyo Dome. This series is particularly notable, as it marks the league's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
The Dodgers will feature star players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs will showcase Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki. This overseas series promises to deliver thrilling matchups and significant media attention, especially considering the prominent Japanese players involved.
Historic Opening Day
Following the international opener, the MLB season will officially get underway in the United States on Thursday, March 27. All 30 teams will be in action, making it the earliest traditional Opening Day in baseball history. Among the opening matchups, only four will be divisional games. This milestone underscores MLB's continuing efforts to expand and evolve in the modern era.
The Oakland Athletics, for instance, will launch their season with a four-game series in Seattle. Perhaps even more historic will be their first-ever game in Sacramento, slated for Monday, March 31. They will then face the Cubs in a three-game series starting the same day, offering fans in Northern California a unique opportunity to experience high-level baseball closer to home.
No International Series but Tokyo
Though initial plans had aimed to include games in Paris, only the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs made it into the final 2025 schedule. This adjustment highlights the fluid nature of international logistics, especially in a sport as complex and widely followed as baseball. Nevertheless, the league is likely to continue exploring global opportunities as it seeks to expand its international footprint.
Rivalry Weekend
One highly anticipated segment of the regular season will be "Rivalry Weekend," set to take place from May 16-18. The event will feature 11 series involving division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries. Notably, some interleague rivals will face each other six times instead of the customary four, adding an extra layer of excitement to these already intense matchups.
All-Star Festivities
Truist Park in Atlanta will be the epicenter of baseball action in mid-July, hosting the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The festivities kick off with the Futures Game on July 12, followed by the start of the 2025 draft on July 13. The ever-popular Home Run Derby will take place on July 14, making for a jam-packed week of events that are sure to captivate fans across the country.
Season's End and Postseason Beginning
The regular season will conclude with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. This final day features eight divisional matchups, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious postseason race. The playoffs are slated to commence just two days later on Tuesday, September 30, ensuring a swift transition from regular-season excitement to playoff intensity.
As MLB prepares to embark on the 2025 season, fans have a bevy of exciting highlights to look forward to, from international games to historic firsts and traditional rivalries. The blend of familiar traditions and new milestones keeps the anticipation high, reminding everyone why baseball remains a beloved pastime across the globe.