Major League Baseball (MLB) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 regular-season schedule, doing so on the final day of the 2024 All-Star break. Baseball fans now have access to each team's detailed itinerary on their respective official websites.
The 2025 season is set to make an exciting start overseas, with the Los Angeles Dodgers squaring off against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19 at the iconic Tokyo Dome. This international showdown holds particular significance as it will be MLB's first appearance in Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
Star-Studded Lineup for Tokyo Series
The opening games will feature a constellation of baseball talent. From the Dodgers, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto are slated to headline the event. On the Cubs' side, southpaw Shota Imanaga and outfielder Seiya Suzuki will take the field. The Tokyo Series promises to be a spectacle, providing a thrilling start to the season for baseball enthusiasts worldwide.
Following the international excitement, the traditional Opening Day will take place on Thursday, March 27, marking the earliest such date in the history of baseball. All 30 MLB teams will be in action, albeit with a limited number of divisional matchups—only four to be exact. The Oakland Athletics will kick off their season with a four-game series in Seattle. Of particular note, the Athletics will make their first-ever appearance in Sacramento on March 31, facing the Cubs in a three-game series.
Plans for Paris Rescheduled
Initially, MLB had aspired to expand its international footprint further by scheduling games in Paris; however, these plans fell through, leaving the Tokyo Series as the sole international matchup for the 2025 season. Despite this setback, the league's commitment to broadening its global appeal remains evident.
Rivalry Weekend and Mid-Season Highlights
A marquee event in the 2025 season will be the "Rivalry Weekend," slated for May 16-18. This exciting stretch will feature intense competition across 11 series involving division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries. Adding to the intrigue, some interleague rivals will face off in six games instead of the customary four, offering fans even more thrilling matchups to look forward to.
The centerpiece of the summer will undoubtedly be the 95th All-Star Game, hosted at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The mid-season festivities also include the Futures Game on July 12, the 2025 draft commencing on July 13, and the ever-popular Home Run Derby on July 14.
Season's End and Postseason Drama
The 2025 regular season is designed to end on a high note, with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day promises to be particularly riveting, featuring eight divisional matchups that could have significant playoff implications. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the postseason is set to begin promptly on Tuesday, September 30.
As fans eagerly mark their calendars and scrutinize their favorite team’s schedule, the 2025 MLB season promises a blend of international flair, historic milestones, and classic rivalries, setting the stage for a captivating year of baseball.