MLB Announces 2025 Schedule with Exciting International Opener
For baseball aficionados, the wait for the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular-season schedule is over. Released during the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, the new schedule promises a season filled with memorable matchups and historic milestones.
Each team’s individual schedule is now accessible on their official websites, offering fans the chance to plan their baseball pilgrimages well in advance. But what stands out immediately is the season's global start.
MLB Returns to Japan
The 2025 season will commence with a bang as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs face off at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This marks MLB's first game in Japan since the 2019 opener between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners. The return to Japan underlines MLB's commitment to expanding its international footprint.
Fans can expect fireworks as the Dodgers, featuring Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, take on the Cubs, who will showcase Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki. This series not only highlights the impressive talent in both teams but also celebrates the global appeal of baseball by bringing top-level American baseball back to Japanese soil.
Historic Early Start for Opening Day
Baseball traditionalists will also note that the 2025 traditional Opening Day is set for Thursday, March 27, marking the earliest ever start in MLB history. All 30 teams will be in action, with only four divisional matchups. One of the highlighted early matchups features the Athletics starting their season with a four-game series in Seattle.
Moreover, the Athletics will experience a special moment as they play their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31, part of a three-game series against the Cubs. This milestone provides a unique opportunity for fans in Sacramento to witness a Major League game in their hometown.
Notable Series and Events
MLB fans can also look forward to the much-anticipated "Rivalry Weekend," set to take place from May 16-18. This weekend will feature 11 exciting series involving division rivals and four series showcasing geographic rivalries. In a refreshing twist, some interleague rivals will play six games instead of the customary four, offering a bit more intensity to these matchups.
One notable absence from the 2025 schedule is the initially planned games in Paris. Despite MLB’s hopes, these plans fell through, leaving the Tokyo Series as the sole international engagement for the season.
All-Star Festivities in Atlanta
Fast forward to mid-July, the spotlight will turn to Atlanta's Truist Park, which will host the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The All-Star festivities will be a week-long celebration, starting with the Futures Game on July 12, followed by the 2025 draft beginning on July 13, and culminating in the Home Run Derby on July 14.
Regular Season Climax and Postseason
The regular season will come to an electrifying close with all 30 teams taking the field on Sunday, September 28. The final day will feature eight crucial divisional matchups, setting the stage for what promises to be a dramatic race to the postseason.
The 2025 postseason is slated to begin on Tuesday, September 30. As always, it will be a time when the intensity skyrockets, and every game could signify the end of a championship dream or the birth of new legends.
With a mix of international excitement, historic firsts, and intense rivalries, the 2025 MLB season is shaping up to be one for the ages. Fans are now counting down the days until they hear the iconic words, "Play ball!" echo around the globe.