How Many Baseball Games Per Season in MLB?

By Sarah Miller · August 16, 2042

Each Major League Baseball (MLB) team plays 162 regular season games per year, resulting in a total of 2,430 games across the entire league. This schedule has been standard since 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League.

The Structure of an MLB Season

The modern Major League Baseball season is carefully structured to balance competitive integrity, player workload, and fan engagement. Each of the 30 teams in MLB plays 162 games over approximately six months, from late March or early April through September.

Breakdown of the 162-Game Schedule

Intradivision Games: Teams play 13 games against each of their 4 division rivals (52 games total).
Intraleague Games: 6 games against each of 6 teams from the other two divisions in their league (36 games), and 7 games against the remaining 4 teams (28 games).
Interleague Games: 20 games are played against one division from the opposite league, following a rotating schedule.

Historical Evolution of the MLB Schedule

The number of games in an MLB season has evolved significantly since the league's inception. Early seasons featured far fewer games, but expansion and commercial growth led to longer schedules.

Milestones in Season Length

1876–1881: 60–84 games per season.
1882–1891: Expanded to 84–132 games depending on the year.
1904: First 154-game season introduced, used until 1960.
1961: American League expands to 162 games with the addition of the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Senators.
1962: National League follows suit, also moving to 162 games.
1981, 1994, 2020: Strike or pandemic-shortened seasons resulted in fewer games (e.g., 60 games in 2020 due to COVID-19).

Season	Total Games per Team	Notes
1904–1960	154	Standard pre-expansion era
1961	162	AL expanded; NL remained at 154
1962–1968	162	Both leagues standardized at 162
1981	~110	Strike-shortened season
1994–1995	92 / 144	1994 strike; 1995 shortened to 144 games
2020	60	Pandemic-shortened season
2021	162	Return to full schedule
2022–2025	162	Current standard

Table data source:1, 2

The transition from 154 to 162 games reflected MLB’s expansion from 16 to 20 teams by 1962. Shortened seasons were exceptions caused by labor disputes or global events. The 162-game format remains the benchmark for measuring team performance and player statistics.

Postseason and Additional Games

Beyond the 162 regular season games, teams may participate in postseason play. The number of additional games varies based on playoff success:

Wild Card Series: Best-of-three (2–3 games)
Division Series: Best-of-five (3–5 games)
Championship Series: Best-of-seven (4–7 games)
World Series: Best-of-seven (4–7 games)

A team that wins all its postseason series can play up to 18 additional games, bringing their total to 180 games in a single year.

Frequently Asked Questions About MLB Season Length

How many baseball games does each MLB team play in a season?

Each MLB team plays 162 regular season games in a standard year, typically running from late March or early April through September.

Why do MLB teams play 162 games?

The 162-game schedule was adopted to accommodate league expansion, ensure balanced competition, and maximize revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting rights. It allows for a comprehensive evaluation of team performance over time.

Has every MLB season had 162 games?

No. The 162-game season began in 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League. Prior to that, teams played 154 games. Some seasons—such as 1981, 1994, and 2020—were shortened due to strikes or the pandemic.

How many games are in the MLB postseason?

The postseason includes up to 18 additional games per team, depending on how far they advance. The World Series champion can play up to 180 games in a calendar year (162 regular season + 18 postseason).

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

Yes, in a full season, all 30 MLB teams are scheduled to play exactly 162 games. In shortened seasons (e.g., 2020), all teams play a reduced but equal number of games to maintain fairness.