How Many Games Do MLB Teams Play in a Season?

By Sarah Miller · January 22, 2039

Major League Baseball (MLB) teams play a total of 162 regular-season games each year, starting in late March or early April and concluding in late September or early October. This is followed by postseason play for qualifying teams.

Understanding the MLB Regular Season Schedule

The 162-game season has been the standard since 1961 for American League teams and 1962 for National League teams. This structure allows for a comprehensive evaluation of team performance over a long stretch, minimizing the impact of short-term variance.

Key Features of the MLB Season Format

Each of the 30 MLB teams plays 162 games during the regular season.
The season typically begins in late March or early April.
Regular season ends in late September or early October.
Postseason includes Wild Card Games, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series.
Schedule includes intra-division, inter-division, and interleague matchups.

Breakdown of the 162-Game MLB Schedule

The distribution of games across different opponent types ensures competitive balance and regional engagement. Since the adoption of the current scheduling model in recent years, MLB has emphasized more games within divisions while maintaining interleague appeal.

How Are the 162 Games Distributed?

As of the current scheduling format (used since 2023), each team's 162-game slate is divided as follows:

52 games against division rivals (13 games vs each of 4 opponents).
64 games against teams from other divisions within their league (6 or 7 games per matchup).
46 games against interleague opponents (rotating basis, one full division per year).

Team	Season	Total Games	Division Games	Non-Division AL/NL	Interleague	Postseason Appearances
New York Yankees	2024	162	52	64	46	10 (ALCS)
Los Angeles Dodgers	2024	162	52	64	46	12 (World Series)
Chicago Cubs	2023	162	52	64	46	0
Houston Astros	2023	162	52	64	46	11 (World Series)
Atlanta Braves	2022	162	52	64	46	8 (NLDS)

Table data source:1, 2

The data confirms that all MLB teams follow the standardized 162-game regular season format. The consistent breakdown—52 intra-division, 64 inter-division (within league), and 46 interleague games—ensures fairness and regional excitement. Slight variations in exact game counts per opponent occur due to scheduling adjustments, but totals remain fixed at 162.

Exceptions and Special Circumstances

While 162 games is the norm, exceptions have occurred due to strikes, lockouts, or extraordinary events like the pandemic-shortened 2020 season (60 games). In 2022, a lockout led to a 162-game season starting late, with no games lost.

Historical Changes in Season Length

Prior to 1961: 154 games per season.
1961 (AL) / 1962 (NL): Expanded to 162 games with league expansion.
1981, 1994, 1995: Seasons shortened due to labor disputes.
2020: 60-game season due to COVID-19.
2022: Full 162 games played despite delayed start.

Frequently Asked Questions About MLB Game Counts

How many games do MLB teams play in a season?

Each MLB team plays 162 regular-season games in a typical year, followed by potential postseason games for playoff qualifiers.

Why do MLB teams play 162 games?

The 162-game schedule was adopted to accommodate league expansion and provide a robust sample size for evaluating team performance, reducing randomness and increasing statistical reliability over time.

Have MLB teams always played 162 games?

No. From 1904 to 1960, teams played 154 games. The shift to 162 occurred in 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League following the addition of new franchises.

How many postseason games can an MLB team play?

A team can play up to 17 postseason games if they advance through every round: 3 Wild Card + 5 Division Series + 7 League Championship Series + 7 World Series. However, most teams play 0–7, depending on how far they advance.

What happens if MLB games are postponed?

Postponed games due to weather or emergencies are rescheduled as single games or doubleheaders. If games don’t affect playoff races, they may be canceled without makeup, especially near season’s end.

Conclusion

The Major League Baseball regular season consists of 162 games per team, a format designed to balance competition, player endurance, and fan engagement. While rare disruptions have altered this number historically, 162 remains the benchmark. With structured scheduling across divisions and leagues, combined with a rigorous playoff system, MLB maintains one of the longest and most demanding seasons in professional sports.