When Does Baseball Season Start and End?

By Sarah Miller · April 27, 2030

Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically starts in late March or early April and ends in late September or early October. The postseason follows immediately, culminating in the World Series.

When Does the MLB Season Start?

The start of the Major League Baseball season is a highly anticipated event each year. Since 2020, MLB has increasingly scheduled opening games in late March, though some seasons have begun in early April due to scheduling adjustments such as labor negotiations or global events like the pandemic.

Key Factors Influencing Opening Day

Spring Training: Begins in mid-February, preparing players for the regular season.
International Games: MLB often opens the season with games in international locations (e.g., Japan, Mexico).
Weather Conditions: Cold climates may influence start dates to avoid delays.
Collective Bargaining Agreements: Labor disputes can delay the season, as seen in 2022 when the season started April 7.

When Does the MLB Season End?

The regular season concludes in late September or early October after each team plays 162 games. The exact end date varies slightly each year based on scheduling, holidays, and potential rainout makeup games.

Postseason Schedule Overview

Immediately following the regular season, the MLB postseason begins:

Wild Card Series: Best-of-three format starting early October.
Division Series (LDS): Best-of-five series.
League Championship Series (LCS): Best-of-seven, determining AL and NL champions.
World Series: Late October showdown between league champions.

Year	Regular Season Start	Regular Season End	World Series Winner	Total Attendance (Millions)
2021	April 1	October 3	Atlanta Braves	23.4
2022	April 7	October 5	Houston Astros	70.9
2023	March 30	October 1	Texas Rangers	72.8
2024	March 28 (Japan)	September 29	—	—
2025 (Projected)	March 27	September 28	—	—

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows a trend toward earlier start dates, especially with international openers. Attendance rebounded strongly post-pandemic, reaching nearly 73 million in 2023. The 2025 season is expected to begin on March 27, continuing the pattern of late March starts.

Understanding the Full MLB Calendar

While the regular season spans roughly six months, the full baseball calendar extends much longer.

Phases of the MLB Year

Offseason (November–January): Free agency, trades, Winter Meetings.
Spring Training (Mid-Feb to Late March): Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues.
Regular Season (Late March–September): 162 games per team.
Postseason (October): Up to four rounds of playoffs.
World Series (Late October): Culmination of the championship.

Frequently Asked Questions About MLB Season Dates

What time does baseball season start each year?

The MLB regular season typically begins in late March or early April. For example, the 2025 season is projected to start on March 27. However, international openers may push first games into mid-March.

How long is the MLB season?

The MLB regular season consists of 162 games per team, lasting approximately six months from late March to late September. Including Spring Training and the postseason, professional baseball spans over eight months annually.

Why did the 2022 MLB season start in April?

The 2022 season began on April 7 due to a lockout caused by expired collective bargaining agreements between team owners and players. This labor dispute delayed negotiations and pushed back the original March start date.

Do all MLB teams play on Opening Day?

Not all teams play on the official Opening Day. While most teams begin their season within a few days of each other, MLB schedules staggered start times to manage logistics, weather, and broadcast arrangements.

When does the MLB postseason start?

The MLB postseason typically begins in early October, right after the regular season ends. The Wild Card Series marks the first round and usually starts around October 1–3, depending on the year’s schedule.