Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially revealed the 2025 regular-season schedule, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2024 All-Star break. The release features a series of compelling matchups and noteworthy milestones, creating anticipation among fans and players alike.
A Grand Opening in Tokyo
In a notable departure from tradition, the 2025 season will commence overseas with a highly anticipated series at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Chicago Cubs in what promises to be an electrifying kickoff to the new season. Highlighting the series will be star pitchers Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, as well as Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs. This event marks MLB's return to Japan for the first time since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
Fans can access each team's individual schedule on their respective official websites, ensuring that everyone can start planning their game-day experiences well in advance.
Earliest Traditional Opening Day
The excitement continues on Thursday, March 27, with the traditional Opening Day featuring all 30 teams in action. This date sets a new record for the earliest traditional Opening Day in baseball history. Among the games, only four will be divisional matchups, adding a unique twist to the start of the season.
The Oakland Athletics will begin their campaign with a four-game series in Seattle. Following this, for the first time in their history, they will play a game in Sacramento on March 31, initiating a three-game series against the Cubs.
International Plans Adjusted
The Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs stands as the lone international series on the 2025 schedule. MLB had originally aimed to include games in Paris, but those plans did not come to fruition. Despite this, the season's international component remains a significant highlight, showcasing baseball's global appeal.
Rivalry Weekend
From May 16-18, MLB will host "Rivalry Weekend," a thrilling series of games that will feature 11 matchups involving division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries. Some interleague rivals are slated to play six games instead of the customary four, adding another layer of intensity to these eagerly awaited contests.
All-Star Festivities in Atlanta
The mid-season break will bring a host of events centered around the 95th All-Star Game, set to be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. Preceding the main event, the Futures Game will be held on July 12, showcasing the league's top young talents. The 2025 draft will commence on July 13, followed by the fan-favorite Home Run Derby on July 14. This cluster of events is sure to create an unforgettable experience for baseball enthusiasts around the world.
Season's Climax and Postseason
The regular season will draw to a close with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day will feature eight divisional matchups that could potentially have significant playoff implications. The excitement will then carry over into the postseason, slated to begin on Tuesday, September 30, ensuring that fans will be on the edge of their seats until the very last pitch of the season.
As MLB fans eagerly await the start of the 2025 season, the schedule release has undoubtedly set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling year of baseball. With international matchups, historic openings, and intense rivalries, the 2025 season is poised to capture the imagination of fans worldwide.