When Does Baseball Season End? 2025 MLB Schedule Explained

By Sarah Miller · October 21, 2045

The Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically ends in late September or early October, with the 2025 season concluding on September 28, 2025. The postseason begins immediately after, culminating in the World Series, which usually ends by early November.

Overview of 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 critical role in player preparation, team performance evaluation, and championship determination.

Key Phases of the Baseball Calendar

Spring Training: Begins in mid-February, featuring exhibition games to prepare players for the regular season.
Regular Season: Starts in late March or early April and lasts approximately six months.
Postseason: Includes Wild Card Games, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series.

When Does the MLB Regular Season End?

The MLB regular season traditionally concludes on the last Sunday of September or the first Sunday of October. For the 2025 season, all 30 teams will complete their 162-game schedule by Sunday, September 28, 2025.

This fixed end date allows for a structured postseason schedule, ensuring the World Series finishes before early November, avoiding conflicts with other major sports seasons like the NFL and NBA.

MLB Postseason Schedule and Duration

The MLB postseason begins shortly after the regular season ends, usually on the Monday following the final regular-season games.

Postseason Format (as of 2025)

Wild Card Series: Best-of-three series hosted by higher-seeded teams.
Division Series (ALDS/NLDS): Best-of-five series.
League Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS): Best-of-seven series to determine league champions.
World Series: Best-of-seven series between the American League and National League champions.

The entire postseason spans four to five weeks, with the 2025 World Series expected to conclude by November 2, 2025, depending on game length and potential delays.

Historical Trends in MLB Season End Dates

Over the past decade, MLB has maintained a consistent calendar, ending the regular season on the final Sunday of September. This consistency helps fans, broadcasters, and stadium operators plan accordingly.

Year	Regular Season End Date	World Series End Date	Champion	Games Played
2024	September 29, 2024	October 27, 2024	Los Angeles Dodgers	6
2023	October 1, 2023	November 1, 2023	Texas Rangers	7
2022	October 5, 2022*	November 5, 2022	Houston Astros	6
2021	October 3, 2021	November 2, 2021	Atlanta Braves	6
2020	September 27, 2020	October 27, 2020	Los Angeles Dodgers	6
2019	September 29, 2019	October 30, 2019	Washington Nationals	7
2018	September 30, 2018	October 28, 2018	Boston Red Sox	5
2017	September 30, 2017	November 1, 2017	Houston Astros	7
2016	October 2, 2016	November 2, 2016	Chicago Cubs	7
2015	October 4, 2015	November 1, 2015	Kansas City Royals	5

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that since 2015, the MLB regular season has consistently ended between September 27 and October 5, with most years concluding on the last Sunday of September. The 2022 season was extended due to a lockout-delayed start. World Series end dates range from late October to early November, reflecting the typical five-week postseason span.

Factors Influencing the Season End Date

Several factors can affect when the baseball season officially ends:

National Broadcast Schedules: MLB coordinates with networks like Fox, ESPN, and TBS to optimize viewership.
Weather Delays: Rainouts or field conditions may push games to later dates, potentially extending the season.
Player Health and Rest: Expanded rosters and off-days are scheduled to reduce injury risks during the long season.
International Events: Events like the World Baseball Classic may influence future scheduling adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Baseball Season Ends

Does the MLB regular season always end on the same date?

No, while the MLB regular season typically ends on the last Sunday of September, the exact date varies slightly each year based on the calendar and special circumstances like labor disputes or pandemics. For example, the 2020 season ended earlier due to a shortened schedule, while 2022 ended on October 5 due to a delayed start.

When does the 2025 MLB postseason start?

The 2025 MLB postseason is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 29, 2025, immediately after the conclusion of the regular season on September 28. The Wild Card Series will kick off the playoffs.

How many games do teams play in the regular season?

Each MLB team plays 162 games during the regular season, one of the longest schedules in professional sports. This extensive schedule helps ensure statistical reliability and competitive balance over time.

What happens if there's a tie at the end of the regular season?

If two or more teams are tied for a playoff spot or division title, MLB conducts a tiebreaker game (or uses head-to-head record if applicable). Since 2022, a single tiebreaker game is played only if necessary to determine postseason qualification.

Can the World Series go beyond November?

Yes, although rare, the World Series can extend into early November. The latest possible end date is usually around November 5. The 2023 and 2017 World Series both concluded on November 1 due to Game 7 matchups and scheduling delays.