MLB Unveils 2025 Regular Season Schedule with International Flair
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially announced its 2025 regular-season schedule, creating a buzz among fans and teams alike. The announcement came on the final day of the 2024 All-Star break, immediately drawing attention to several unique features and highly anticipated matchups.
Exciting Start in Tokyo
For the first time since 2019, MLB will be returning to Japan to kick off the season. The Tokyo Dome will host the opening games on March 18-19, featuring a riveting series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. These games are set to spotlight some of the biggest names in baseball, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs. This international opener underscores MLB's commitment to expanding its global presence and mirrors the excitement generated by the 2019 opener between the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners.
Historic Opening Day
The traditional domestic Opening Day is slated for Thursday, March 27, marking the earliest Opening Day in MLB history. All 30 teams will be in action, setting the stage for a full slate of games that will undoubtedly captivate baseball fans across the nation. Of particular note, however, are the limited divisional matchups on this day, with only four of the 15 games featuring division rivals.
Among these matchups, the Oakland Athletics will embark on their season with a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners. After their initial showdown, the Athletics will make history by playing their first-ever game in Sacramento, where they will face the Cubs in a three-game series starting March 31.
Domestic and International Highlights
While the Tokyo Series stands as the sole international series on the 2025 calendar, MLB had initially hoped to explore other international venues, including Paris. Unfortunately, those plans did not materialize. Nonetheless, the league continues to show a commitment to bringing the sport to new audiences around the world.
Back in the United States, "Rivalry Weekend" is set to provide fans with dynamic and highly competitive matchups from May 16-18. This special weekend will feature 11 series involving division rivals and an additional four series consisting of geographic rivalries. Some interleague rivals will also partake in six-game series, adding an extra layer of intensity to these historic clashes.
Mid-Summer Classic Returns to Atlanta
Truist Park in Atlanta will be the epicenter of baseball in mid-July as it hosts the 95th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The All-Star break will be filled with numerous fan-favorite events, beginning with the Futures Game on July 12, followed by the 2025 draft starting on July 13, and culminating in the Home Run Derby on July 14. These events promise to showcase the future stars of the game, providing a preview of what fans can expect in the coming years.
Regular Season Finale and Postseason Commencement
The 2025 regular season will conclude with a flurry of action as all 30 teams take the field on Sunday, September 28. Fans can look forward to eight thrilling divisional matchups that day, which will likely have significant implications for postseason berths and standings. The excitement won’t stop there, as the postseason is set to begin just two days later on Tuesday, September 30.
With the release of the 2025 schedule, MLB has set the stage for an exhilarating season that marries tradition with innovation, international charm with domestic fervor. Fans around the globe now have plenty to look forward to as they mark their calendars for another epic year of baseball.