How Many Baseball Games in a Regular Season? 162 Explained

By Emma Wilson · May 29, 2027

Each Major League Baseball (MLB) team plays 162 games in a regular season, typically running from late March or early April through September. This totals 2,430 games league-wide across both the American and National Leagues.

The Structure of an MLB Regular Season

The 162-game schedule has been standard since 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League. Each team's season is divided into home and away games, with matchups distributed across divisional opponents, interleague play, and teams within the same league but different divisions.

Distribution of Games

MLB teams do not play each opponent equally. The current scheduling format, updated in 2023 to accommodate the addition of an interleague rivalry series, follows a balanced yet strategic structure:

13 games against each of 4 division rivals (52 games)
6 games against each of 10 teams in own league, outside division (60 games)
6 games against a rotating interleague opponent (6 games)
4 games against each of 4 designated interleague rivals (20 games)
20 additional interleague games against remaining 15 teams (one series each)

Historical Evolution of the MLB Schedule

The number of games in a season has evolved over time as the league expanded and restructured:

1904–1960: 154 games per team
1961–present (AL): 162 games after expansion to 10 teams
1962–present (NL): 162 games adopted after expansion
1997: Introduction of interleague play (1-2 games per team)
2023: New format increases interleague games to around 46 per team

Impact of Scheduling on Player Performance and Team Strategy

The length and structure of the MLB season influence player rest, rotation strategies, and injury management. With nearly daily games, managers rely heavily on five-man pitching rotations and active roster management.

Key Factors Influenced by Game Volume

Injury risk due to repetitive stress
Bullpen usage and pitcher workload
Travel fatigue, especially on West Coast-East Coast trips
Opportunities for comeback after slow starts

Season Year	Total Teams	Games per Team	Total Regular Season Games	Notable Change
1950	16	154	1,232	Pre-expansion era
1962	20	162	1,620	NL adopts 162-game season
1998	30	162	2,430	Expansion to 30 teams
2020	30	60	900	Pandemic-shortened season
2023	30	162	2,430	New interleague format

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows consistency in the 162-game standard since the 1960s, with only rare exceptions like the 2020 shortened season. The total number of games scales with league size, reaching 2,430 annually with 30 teams. The 2023 update increased interleague variety without altering the total game count.

Frequently Asked Questions About MLB Regular Season Games

How many baseball games are in a regular MLB season?

Each MLB team plays 162 regular season games, resulting in a total of 2,430 games across the league annually.

Why does MLB play 162 games?

The 162-game schedule balances competitive fairness, revenue generation, and player endurance. It allows teams to overcome short-term variance and rewards consistency over a long season, while maximizing ticket sales and broadcast opportunities.

Has every MLB team always played 162 games?

No. Before 1961 (American League) and 1962 (National League), teams played 154 games. The increase coincided with league expansion to accommodate more teams and generate additional revenue.

Did any recent seasons have fewer than 162 games?

Yes. The 2020 season was shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Labor disputes have also caused reductions, such as the strike-shortened 1994 and 1981 seasons.

Do all teams play the same number of games each season?

Yes, under normal circumstances, all 30 MLB teams play exactly 162 games. In rare cases like weather cancellations or strikes, some teams may end up with one extra or missing game, but MLB works to ensure schedule integrity.