On the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, Major League Baseball (MLB) has revealed the regular-season schedule for 2025, and fans have plenty to look forward to. The comprehensive schedule, now available on each team's official website, highlights several intriguing matchups and unique events poised to make the upcoming season unforgettable.
Opening in Tokyo
The 2025 season will commence abroad with an exciting two-game series on March 18-19 at the iconic Tokyo Dome. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will face off, with notable players such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs making the long journey to Japan. This marks MLB's first return to Japan since 2019, when the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the season in Tokyo. The anticipation for this international showcase is palpable, as it promises to set a thrilling tone for the rest of the season.
Early Opening Day
The traditional Opening Day will take place on Thursday, March 27, marking the earliest such date in baseball history. All 30 teams will be in action, although only four of the games will feature divisional matchups. For fans of early-season baseball, this is an unprecedented treat, offering a simultaneous start for every team. Among the notable season openers, the Athletics will kick off their campaign with a four-game series in Seattle before heading to Sacramento for their first-ever game in the city on March 31, where they will face the Cubs in a three-game series.
Exclusive International Series
While the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs stands as the sole international series on the 2025 schedule, it wasn't without aspiring plans for more. MLB had initially hoped to organize games in Paris, but those plans ultimately fell through. Nonetheless, the Tokyo opener is expected to capture the global spirit of baseball and foster international excitement around the sport.
Rivalry Weekend
Returning this year is the much-anticipated "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18. This weekend will feature 11 series of division rivals and four geographic rivalries, with some interleague rivals set to play six games instead of the customary four. This change aims to intensify the competition and offer fans multiple chances to witness high-stakes games within tighter time frames. The atmosphere during “Rivalry Weekend” is historically electric, and 2025 is expected to be no different.
All-Star Week in Atlanta
Truist Park in Atlanta will be the epicenter of the baseball world in mid-July when it hosts the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The festivities leading up to the game include the Futures Game on July 12, providing a glimpse at tomorrow’s stars, followed by the 2025 draft beginning on July 13. The ever-popular Home Run Derby will showcase the league's best power hitters on July 14, ensuring a packed schedule of events set to delight baseball enthusiasts.
Regular Season Finale
The 2025 regular season will draw to a close with all 30 teams competing on Sunday, September 28. The final day promises a flurry of action, highlighted by eight divisional matchups that could have significant playoff implications. Teams will give their all in last-minute efforts to secure postseason berths, leading to what is expected to be an exhilarating finish to the regular season.
Postseason Begins
The quest for the World Series title will officially commence on Tuesday, September 30, with the postseason opening round. The intensity of playoff baseball is unmatched, and the 2025 season promises to deliver unforgettable moments as teams vie for the ultimate prize in the sport.
In summary, the 2025 MLB season combines traditional elements with unique events designed to captivate fans from the first pitch in Tokyo to the last out of the World Series. Each date on the schedule presents an opportunity for memorable moments and historic milestones, ensuring that baseball remains at the forefront of the sports calendar.