How Long is the MLB Season? Start & End Dates Explained

By Emma Wilson · March 20, 2027

How Long is the Major League Baseball Season?

The Major League Baseball (MLB) season typically spans about 7.5 months, beginning in late March or early April and concluding in late September or early October. The regular season consists of 162 games per team, followed by a postseason that can extend into early November, especially if the World Series goes to a full seven games.

Structure of the MLB Season

The MLB season is divided into three main phases: Spring Training, the Regular Season, and the Postseason. Each phase serves a distinct purpose in player preparation, competitive play, and championship determination.

Key Phases of the MLB Calendar

Spring Training: Begins in mid-February and runs through late March. Teams hold practices and play around 30 exhibition games.
Regular Season: Starts on Opening Day, usually the last weekend of March or first of April. All 30 teams play 162 games over approximately 26.5 weeks.
Postseason: Includes Wild Card Games, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series. Typically begins in early October and ends by early November.

Regular Season Duration and Schedule

The MLB regular season is one of the longest among professional sports leagues globally. Each of the 30 teams plays 162 games, which averages to nearly every other day throughout the season. This extensive schedule tests team depth, endurance, and consistency.

Breakdown of Game Distribution

Each team's 162-game schedule is structured as follows:

19 games against their 4 division rivals (76 games)
6 games against each of the 10 non-division teams in their league (60 games)
4 games against each of the 15 teams in the other league (Interleague Play) (60 games)
Some variation may occur due to scheduling adjustments or rainouts.

Season Phase	Duration	Number of Games	Start Date	End Date
Spring Training	~6 weeks	~30 exhibition games	Mid-February	End of March
Regular Season	~26.5 weeks	162 games	Last week of March / First week of April	End of September / Early October
Postseason	~4–5 weeks	Up to 19 potential games (per team)	Early October	Early November
World Series	Up to 3 weeks	Best-of-seven series (max 7 games)	Late October	Early November

Table data source:1, 2

The table illustrates the extended timeline of MLB’s annual structure. The regular season accounts for the majority of games and duration, emphasizing consistency over time. The postseason, while shorter, features high-stakes elimination formats that can dramatically impact total season length for competing teams.

Factors That Can Extend the Season

Several variables can influence the actual length of an individual team’s season:

Rain Delays and Make-up Games: Weather-related postponements are rescheduled, sometimes extending a team’s regular season into early October.
Extra-Inning Games: Though not affecting calendar length, they increase daily physical strain.
Postseason Success: A team reaching the World Series and playing all seven games could be active into early November.
International Games: Occasional opening series played abroad (e.g., Japan, Mexico) may slightly shift start dates.

Comparison with Other Major Sports Leagues

Compared to other North American professional leagues, MLB has the longest regular season:

NFL: 17-game regular season (18 weeks)
NBA: 82-game regular season (~6 months)
NHL: 82-game regular season (~6 months)

The 162-game MLB schedule emphasizes long-term performance over short bursts, making it unique in professional sports.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MLB Season Length

How many games are in an MLB season?

Each MLB team plays 162 games during the regular season. Additional games are played in the postseason for qualifying teams, with a maximum of 19 extra games if a team reaches and completes a seven-game World Series.

When does the MLB season start and end?

The MLB regular season typically starts in late March or early April and ends in late September or early October. The postseason begins shortly after and can extend into early November, depending on how long the World Series lasts.

Why is the MLB season so long?

The 162-game season is designed to minimize the impact of randomness and highlight consistent performance. It allows for comprehensive evaluation of team strength, player development, and statistical reliability across a large sample size.

Do all MLB teams play at the same time?

Yes, all 30 MLB teams begin their regular season on the same Opening Day, though not all play simultaneously. Some teams may have off-days while others start, but the official season launch includes multiple games across both leagues.

Can the MLB season go into November?

Yes, the MLB postseason can extend into early November. If the World Series goes to a full seven games and starts on its scheduled date in late October, Game 7 would typically fall in the first few days of November.

How long is spring training in MLB?

Spring training lasts approximately six weeks, starting in mid-February and ending in late March. During this period, players report for physicals, practice intensively, and participate in around 30 Cactus League or Grapefruit League exhibition games.