Major League Baseball (MLB) has rolled out its 2025 regular-season schedule, offering fans an early glimpse at some intriguing matchups and historical milestones. The announcement came on the closing day of the 2024 All-Star break, a perfect punctuation to a mid-season exhibition and a look forward to the upcoming sequence.
International Opening
The 2025 season will make a global splash with its opening games scheduled to take place overseas. On March 18-19, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will square off at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. This event marks MLB's first trip back to Japan since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners inaugurated the 2019 season in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Series will see some major stars taking the field. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will represent the Dodgers, while Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki will don the Cubs' colors. These games are poised to draw significant attention, not only because of the international venue but also because of the impressive lineup of talent on display.
An Early Traditional Opening Day
Following the Tokyo series, the traditional Opening Day for all 30 MLB teams is set for Thursday, March 27. This date is notable for being the earliest traditional Opening Day in the history of Major League Baseball. Fans can look forward to a full slate of action, although only four divisional matchups will grace this initial day of games. For instance, the Athletics are set to kick start their journey with a four-game series in Seattle. Additionally, the Athletics will carve out a small piece of history when they play their first-ever game in Sacramento on March 31, opening a three-game series against the Cubs.
No International Plans Beyond Tokyo
While the Tokyo Series serves as the sole international highlight on the 2025 MLB schedule, it's worth noting that the league had initially eyed Paris for some games. Unfortunately, those plans did not materialize, focusing all international excitement squarely on Japan.
Rivalry Weekend
The calendar's intrigue isn't confined to the season's start. "Rivalry Weekend", earmarked for May 16-18, promises to ramp up the intensity with 11 divisional showdowns and four geographic rivalries. In a notable tweak, some interleague rivals will face off in six games instead of the usual four, adding another layer of drama and competition.
Mid-Season Festivities
The 95th All-Star Game, a centerpiece of MLB’s annual festivities, will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The All-Star week will feature the Futures Game on July 12, showcasing the promising talents poised to become the future of baseball. The 2025 draft starts the following day on July 13, leading up to the always-anticipated Home Run Derby on July 14.
The Season’s End and Beyond
The curtain will come down on the regular season with all 30 teams in action on Sunday, September 28. The final day of games is stacked with eight divisional matchups, ensuring that any late-season drama has the stage set for maximum impact. Shortly thereafter, the postseason will commence on Tuesday, September 30, providing an immediate segue from regular-season excitement to playoff intensity.
While the schedule provides the framework, the true narrative will, of course, be written in the up-and-down fortunes of teams and players as the season unfolds. With key games separated by international borders, unprecedented early starts, and enhanced rivalry matchups, the 2025 MLB season is poised to be unforgettable from start to finish.