When Does the Baseball Season End? 2025 MLB Schedule

By Sarah Miller · March 7, 2043

The Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically ends in late September or early October, with the 2025 season scheduled to conclude on September 28, 2025. Postseason play follows immediately, culminating in the World Series, which usually ends by early November.

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 critical role in determining the eventual World Series champion.

Key Phases of the Baseball Calendar

Spring Training: Begins in mid-February, allowing players to prepare for the upcoming 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 Regular Season End?

The MLB regular season spans 162 games per team, spread across about 187 days. In recent years, the final day of the regular season has consistently fallen on the last Sunday of September.

For 2025, the regular season will end on Sunday, September 28, after which the postseason begins shortly thereafter.

Postseason Timeline and Key Dates

The MLB postseason structure was expanded in 2022 to include 12 teams (6 from each league), increasing the number of playoff rounds and extending the potential duration of the season.

Expected 2025 Postseason Schedule

October 1–3: Wild Card Series
October 5–11: Division Series (ALDS & NLDS)
October 13–20: League Championship Series (ALCS & NLCS)
October 25 – November 2: World Series

The exact dates may vary slightly depending on game outcomes and scheduling adjustments.

Historical MLB Season End Dates

Year	Regular Season End	World Series End Date	Champion
2021	October 3	November 2	Atlanta Braves
2022	October 5	November 5	Houston Astros
2023	October 1	November 1	Texas Rangers
2024	September 29	October 28	TBD
2025 (Projected)	September 28	Early November	TBD

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that MLB regular seasons have ended between September 28 and October 5 in recent years, with slight variations due to scheduling decisions and special events like international games. The expansion of the playoff format has pushed the World Series finale later, often into early November.

Factors That Can Affect the Season's End Date

While MLB sets fixed end dates, several variables can influence the actual conclusion of the season:

Weather Delays: Rainouts or extreme weather can lead to doubleheaders or schedule shifts.
Tiebreaker Scenarios: If two teams are tied for a playoff spot, a tiebreaker game may be added, extending the regular season.
TV Broadcast Scheduling: Networks like FOX, ESPN, and TBS influence start and end times to maximize viewership.
International Games: Occasional opening series played abroad (e.g., Japan, Mexico) can shift the overall calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions About When the Baseball Season Ends

Does the baseball season always end in September?

The MLB regular season typically ends in late September, but some years it extends into early October. For example, in 2022, the regular season concluded on October 5. However, most seasons since 2023 have wrapped up by September 29 or 30.

When does the MLB postseason start?

The MLB postseason usually begins within one to three days after the regular season ends. For 2025, the Wild Card Series is expected to start around October 1, immediately following the final regular-season games on September 28.

How long does the World Series last?

The World Series is a best-of-seven series and can last up to seven games. With travel days and rest days, the entire series typically spans 10 to 14 days, starting in late October and potentially ending in early November.

Can the baseball season end earlier than scheduled?

No, the MLB season cannot end earlier than scheduled. All 162 regular-season games must be completed unless extraordinary circumstances (like a labor stoppage) occur. Even in cases of inclement weather, postponed games are rescheduled.

Why did the baseball season get longer in recent years?

The MLB season length hasn't changed in terms of game count (162), but the postseason expansion to 12 teams in 2022 extended the overall season timeline. This change increased playoff games and pushed the World Series finale later, sometimes into November.