The excitement is already building as Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially unveiled the 2025 regular-season schedule, making a splash with announcements that promise an exhilarating year for baseball fans worldwide.
Opening with a Bang in Tokyo
Among the most anticipated events is the start of the season overseas, with games set to take place on March 18-19 at the iconic Tokyo Dome. This thrilling international opener will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Chicago Cubs, a matchup that highlights some of baseball's most exciting talents. For the Dodgers, fans can look forward to seeing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs will showcase Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki. This series marks MLB's return to Japan for the first time since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
The Earliest Traditional Opening Day
The traditional Opening Day is set for Thursday, March 27, and will be the earliest in baseball history. All 30 teams will be in action, though only four divisional matchups will take place on this significant day. The Athletics are slated to kick off their season with a four-game series in Seattle and will make a remarkable debut in Sacramento on March 31, facing the Cubs in a three-game series.
Plans for International Games
While the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs stands as the sole international series on the 2025 schedule, MLB had initially hoped to expand its global footprint even further, with aspirations to host games in Paris. Unfortunately, those plans did not come to fruition. Nevertheless, the Tokyo Series sets a strong precedent for future international endeavors.
Mark Your Calendars: Rivalry Weekend
One of the highlights of the upcoming season will undoubtedly be "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled from May 16-18. This spirited event will feature 11 series involving divisional rivals and four series of geographic rivalries, promising intense competition and heightened drama over three days. Additionally, some interleague rivals will play six games instead of the usual four, adding extra excitement to these matchups.
All-Star Break Festivities
The midseason festivities will be anchored by the 95th All-Star Game, which will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. This will be preceded by the Futures Game on July 12 and the highly anticipated 2025 draft starting on July 13. The Home Run Derby, a fan favorite, is scheduled for July 14, rounding off a well-rounded week of baseball celebration and showcasing the sport's top talents and future stars.
The Final Stretch
The regular season will conclude with all 30 teams playing on Sunday, September 28, featuring eight pivotal divisional matchups that could have significant postseason implications. The playoffs are then set to commence on Tuesday, September 30, providing a swift transition from regular season excitement to the cutthroat atmosphere of postseason baseball.
With a slate of compelling matchups, historic milestones, and events designed to delight fans at every turn, the 2025 MLB season is shaping up to be a memorable one. Baseball enthusiasts can access each team's individual schedule on their official websites, allowing fans to start planning their journeys and moments of fandom well in advance. As we edge closer to the first pitch in Tokyo, the anticipation for this exceptional season only continues to grow.