When Does Baseball Start? 2025 MLB Season Dates

By Sarah Miller · May 6, 2034

Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically begins in late March or early April, with the 2025 Opening Day scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025. This date includes a full slate of games, marking the official start of the 162-game season for each team.

When Does MLB Season Start?

The MLB season follows a consistent annual calendar, beginning with spring training in February and culminating in the World Series in October or November. The official start of the regular season is known as Opening Day, which traditionally falls in late March or early April.

Key Dates in the 2025 MLB Season

Spring Training: Begins mid-February 2025
Opening Day: Thursday, March 27, 2025
All Teams Play: First full game day, March 30, 2025
Postseason: Begins October 2025
World Series: October 25 – November 2, 2025 (projected)

Why Does the Season Start in Spring?

Baseball is historically a spring and summer sport due to weather and field conditions. Starting in March allows teams to avoid winter weather in most U.S. cities where games are played outdoors.

Factors Influencing the Start Date

Weather patterns across North America
Stadium availability and climate control
Scheduling coordination with international events (e.g., World Baseball Classic)
Television broadcast agreements
Player preparation time after offseason

Spring Training Overview

Before the official season starts, MLB teams participate in Spring Training, held primarily in Florida (Grapefruit League) and Arizona (Cactus League). These exhibition games help players prepare physically and allow managers to evaluate rosters.

Spring Training Schedule Structure

Location: 15 teams in Florida, 15 in Arizona
Dates: Mid-February to late March
Games per Team: Approximately 30 exhibition games
Roster Evaluation: Crucial for finalizing opening-day lineups

Year	Opening Day Date	Total Attendance (Millions)	World Series Champion
2021	April 1	69.1	Atlanta Braves
2022	March 31	72.4	Houston Astros
2023	March 30	72.9	Texas Rangers
2024	March 28	74.1 (projected)	To Be Determined
2025 (Projected)	March 27	75.0 (estimated)	To Be Determined

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a steady increase in attendance since 2021, reflecting growing fan engagement post-pandemic. Earlier Opening Days in recent years have helped extend the season's momentum into summer months. The trend suggests MLB is prioritizing earlier starts to maximize playoff visibility and fan turnout.

International and Special Openers

In some years, MLB schedules games outside the United States to promote global interest. For example, the 2024 season opened with games in South Korea between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

Recent international sites: Mexico City, London, Tokyo, Seoul
These games count toward regular-season records
Teams may begin play up to two days before domestic Opening Day

Frequently Asked Questions About When Baseball Starts

When does the 2025 MLB season start?

The 2025 MLB regular season begins on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with select games, followed by all 30 teams playing on March 30, 2025.

How many games do MLB teams play in a season?

Each MLB team plays 162 regular-season games, followed by potential postseason games depending on their performance.

What is MLB Spring Training?

Spring Training is a preseason period starting in mid-February where teams practice and play about 30 exhibition games to prepare for the regular season.

Do Opening Day dates change every year?

Yes, Opening Day varies slightly each year based on scheduling, holidays, and broadcast considerations, but it usually falls between March 25 and April 5.