The Major League Baseball (MLB) community was abuzz with excitement on the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, as the league unveiled the highly anticipated 2025 regular-season schedule. Each team’s individual slate is now available for fans to peruse on their respective official websites, setting the stage for an eventful season ahead.
International Kickoff in Tokyo
Marking a significant global outreach, the 2025 MLB season will commence overseas with a pair of games at Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. Enthusiasts around the world will witness the Los Angeles Dodgers squaring off against the Chicago Cubs in these historic opening games. The series promises to be a spectacle, featuring star players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki representing the Cubs.
This event is particularly noteworthy as it marks MLB's first return to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners launched the 2019 season in Tokyo. Fans in Japan and across the globe eagerly await the showcase of top-tier baseball talent.
Historic Opening Day
The traditional Opening Day for the MLB will follow shortly after the Tokyo games, kicking off on Thursday, March 27. Notably, all 30 teams will be in action on this day, making it the earliest traditional Opening Day in baseball history. However, only four games will feature divisional matchups.
One highlight includes the Athletics embarking on their season with a four-game series in Seattle. Additionally, the Athletics will break new ground when they play their first-ever game in Sacramento on Monday, March 31, facing the Cubs in a three-game series starting that same day.
Domestic Rivalries and Marquee Matchups
Although the Tokyo Series is the only international fixture on the 2025 schedule—following MLB's initial yet ultimately unsuccessful plans to include games in Paris—domestic rivalries remain a cornerstone of the season. This focus is epitomized by "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18. During this exciting period, fans can enjoy 11 series consisting of division rivals and four series of geographic rivalries, enhancing the competitive spirit across the league.
Interestingly, some interleague rivalries will feature extended engagements, with teams playing six games against each other instead of the customary four. This change promises to intensify the matchups and provide more drama for fans.
Midseason Festivities and Postseason Outlook
Midseason excitement will peak with the 95th All-Star Game, hosted at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The preceding days will be filled with fan-favorite events such as the Futures Game on July 12, the 2025 draft beginning on July 13, and the electrifying Home Run Derby on July 14.
As the regular season winds down, all 30 teams will again take the field on the final day, Sunday, September 28. Of particular interest will be the eight divisional matchups, likely carrying significant implications for postseason seedings. The 2025 postseason is set to commence just two days later, on Tuesday, September 30, promising a thrilling conclusion to the season.
MLB's 2025 schedule reveals an intricate blend of international flair, historic milestones, and intensified rivalries. Players and fans alike can look forward to a season filled with memorable moments, both on and off the field.