When Does Baseball Season Start? 2025 MLB Opening Day

By Sarah Miller · January 24, 2054

The Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically starts in late March or early April each year. For the 2025 season, Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, with select games beginning as early as March 18 in international locations such as Japan. This marks the official start of the 162-game regular season for all 30 MLB teams.

Understanding the MLB Season Structure

The MLB season is divided into three main phases: Spring Training, the Regular Season, and the Postseason. Each phase plays a crucial role in team preparation, competitive play, and championship pursuit.

Key Phases of the MLB Calendar

Spring Training: Begins in mid-February, featuring practice sessions and exhibition games in Florida (Grapefruit League) and Arizona (Cactus League).
Regular Season: Starts in late March or early April and runs through early October, with each team playing 162 games.
Postseason: Begins in early October, including Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series.

When Does MLB Opening Day Occur?

Opening Day is the traditional start of the MLB regular season and is widely celebrated across the United States. While it most commonly falls on the last Thursday of March, scheduling adjustments due to international games or global events can shift the date slightly.

In recent years, MLB has opened the season with games in international markets, such as Japan and Mexico, often a week or more before the primary U.S.-based Opening Day. These early matchups allow fans to experience high-level competition sooner and give teams an opportunity to adjust to long-haul travel.

Historical Start Dates and Trends

Over the past decade, MLB Opening Day has consistently fallen between March 20 and April 5. The exact date varies based on calendar alignment, broadcast schedules, and special events.

Year	Opening Day Date	Notes
2025	March 27	First full day of games; Japan series begins March 18
2024	March 28	30 teams played; Seoul, South Korea opening series
2023	March 30	No international openers; delayed by lockout recovery
2022	April 7	Delayed due to labor dispute; shortened spring training
2021	April 1	Expanded postseason; pandemic-adjusted schedule
2020	July 23	Shortened 60-game season due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019	March 28	Japan opener: Oakland vs. Seattle in Tokyo
2018	March 29	Mexico City exhibition games preceded season
2017	April 2	Late start due to Easter Sunday conflict
2016	April 3	Chicago Cubs' first home opener as reigning champions

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that while most seasons begin in late March, external factors like labor disputes, pandemics, and international logistics can significantly affect start dates. Since 2016, only two seasons started after April 1, both due to extraordinary circumstances. International openers have become increasingly common, adding global appeal to the sport.

Factors Influencing the Start Date

Several elements impact when the MLB season officially begins:

Television Broadcast Schedules: Networks like ESPN, Fox, and TBS coordinate prime-time slots, influencing weekday start dates.
Weather Conditions: Northern cities with colder climates may face scheduling challenges, though the league prioritizes uniform start dates.
International Games: Matchups in Japan, South Korea, Mexico, or Puerto Rico often precede the main U.S. slate.
Labor Agreements: Collective bargaining disputes, as seen in 2022, can delay the season.
Holiday Conflicts: Avoiding major holidays like Easter helps maximize viewership and attendance.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Baseball Season Starts

When does the 2025 MLB season start?

The 2025 MLB regular season begins on Thursday, March 27, with a full slate of games across the U.S. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will open their season earlier—in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19—due to MLB's international series initiative.

Why does the baseball season start in March or April?

Baseball is a warm-weather sport, and starting in March or April allows teams to avoid winter conditions in northern cities. Additionally, this timing follows spring training in February and March, giving players time to prepare physically and strategically for the long 162-game season.

How long is the MLB regular season?

The MLB regular season consists of 162 games per team, typically spanning from late March or early April through early October. This grueling schedule tests player endurance, depth, and consistency over six months of daily competition.

Do all teams start on the same day?

While most teams begin on the official Opening Day, some participate in international openers or special series that start a few days earlier. For example, in 2024, the Dodgers and Padres opened the season in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20, ahead of the rest of the league’s March 28 start.

What happens during Spring Training?

Spring Training runs from mid-February to late March and includes physical evaluations, skill development, and around 30 exhibition games per team. Held in Florida and Arizona, it allows managers to assess rosters, test lineups, and prepare pitchers for the demands of the regular season.