Major League Baseball (MLB) has once again laid the groundwork for an exciting season with the unveiling of the 2025 regular-season schedule, announced on the closing day of the 2024 All-Star break. The detailed schedules for each team are now available on their respective official websites, allowing fans to mark their calendars for a season that promises to captivate.
A Global Kickoff
The 2025 season will commence with an international flair, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs are set to clash at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This series not only opens the season but also marks MLB's first return to Japan since 2019, when the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners inaugurated the campaign in Tokyo.
Headlining the Tokyo series are two global icons: Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers. Their presence is complemented by Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs, ensuring an electric atmosphere for fans both domestically and abroad. The international series serves as a testament to MLB’s commitment to expanding its global outreach and connecting with its international fanbase.
Historic Earliest Opening Day
Back on American soil, the traditional Opening Day will kick off on Thursday, March 27, with all 30 teams taking the field. This date marks the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history, adding an extra layer of excitement to the commencement of the season. Intriguingly, only four divisional matchups will feature on Opening Day, providing a fresh twist to the season's start.
The Oakland Athletics will journey to Seattle for a four-game series as they begin their campaign, and notably, they will play their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31. This groundbreaking game is part of a three-game series against the Cubs, highlighting MLB’s continuous efforts to bring the game to diverse locations.
Rivalry Weekend and Special Series
May 16-18 will see the much-anticipated "Rivalry Weekend," spanning across 11 series involving division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries. Unique to this weekend, some interleague rivals will clash in six games instead of the usual four, adding more intensity and significance to these matchups. This enhanced rivalry weekend offers fans an early glimpse of the postseason atmosphere when the stakes are inherently higher.
All-Star Festivities
The All-Star break in 2025 is set to be particularly special as Truist Park in Atlanta hosts the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. Leading up to the main event, the Futures Game will take place on July 12, showcasing the brightest talents of tomorrow. The excitement continues with the 2025 draft beginning on July 13 and the Home Run Derby slated for July 14, making this All-Star break a jam-packed celebration of the sport.
Season’s Final Stretch
The regular season will draw to a close on Sunday, September 28, with all 30 teams in action. The finale will feature eight divisional matchups, providing an edge-of-the-seat ending as teams vie for postseason spots. The playoff race will officially begin just two days later, on Tuesday, September 30, setting the stage for the thrilling chase for the World Series.
In an unfortunate turn, MLB's plans to host games in Paris fell through, making the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs the sole international event of the 2025 schedule. It does, however, underscore the league's enduring ambition to bring America’s pastime to a global audience, despite the setbacks.
Conclusion
The 2025 MLB season promises to be an extraordinary journey from the first pitch thrown in Tokyo to the final out on September 28. With historic game dates, iconic player matchups, and special series, this season is set to capture the imaginations of baseball fans around the world. As the league continues to innovate and expand its reach, the upcoming season stands as a strong testament to MLB's enduring appeal and evolving legacy.