When Does Baseball Regular Season Start in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · June 13, 2026

The Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season typically begins in late March or early April, with the 2025 season scheduled to start on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This opening date includes a full slate of games, marking the official return of daily MLB action after spring training.

Understanding the MLB Regular Season Start Date

The start of the MLB regular season is highly anticipated by fans and players alike. Each year, the league releases a detailed schedule months in advance, allowing teams, broadcasters, and fans to prepare for the upcoming campaign. While the exact date varies slightly from year to year, it consistently falls in the final week of March or the first week of April.

Key Factors Influencing the Opening Day

Spring Training Duration: Teams require approximately six weeks of spring training to prepare players physically and tactically.
Weather Conditions: Early-season games in northern cities must account for potential cold weather and field conditions.
International Games: MLB occasionally schedules overseas openers (e.g., in Japan or Mexico), which can shift the overall start timeline.
Broadcast Scheduling: Coordination with major networks like ESPN, Fox, and Apple TV+ affects when games are scheduled.
Player Agreements: Collective bargaining agreements between the league and the MLB Players Association may influence scheduling patterns.

Recent and Projected MLB Opening Days

To better understand the pattern of MLB season starts, here's a comprehensive table showing past, current, and projected future opening dates.

Year	Opening Day Date	Notable Highlights
2021	April 1	Delayed due to pandemic-related negotiations; shortened spring training.
2022	April 7	Late start due to lockout; 162-game season resumed after labor dispute.
2023	March 30	First games in Seoul, South Korea featuring Dodgers and Padres.
2024	March 28	Full international slate including Yankees-Red Sox in London.
2025	March 27	Expected full domestic schedule; no announced overseas openers yet.
2026	TBD (Projected: March 26)	Schedule not yet released; likely mid-to-late March start.

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that despite occasional disruptions—such as labor disputes or global health concerns—the MLB maintains a consistent trend of starting the regular season in late March. The average start date over the last five non-disrupted seasons is March 29. International openers have become more common, often pushing select teams to begin play one or two days earlier than the rest of the league.

How Opening Day Is Determined

MLB’s Operations Department works closely with team executives, broadcast partners, and stadium operators to finalize the schedule each year. Key considerations include:

Scheduling Constraints

Avoiding conflicts with other major sporting events (e.g., NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament).
Ensuring equitable distribution of home weekends and prime-time slots.
Coordinating travel logistics for teams, especially during interleague play.
Aligning with national holidays such as Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) and Memorial Day.

What Happens Before Opening Day?

Prior to the first official game, several key events mark the buildup to the regular season:

Winter Meetings: Held in December, where trades and free-agent signings accelerate.
Spring Training: Begins in mid-February in Florida (Grapefruit League) and Arizona (Cactus League).
Exhibition Games: Around 30 preseason games allow managers to evaluate rosters.
Roster Cuts: Teams reduce from ~60 players to the active 26-man roster by Opening Day.
Season Preview Events: MLB Network and digital platforms run special programming leading up to the opener.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Baseball Season Starts

When does the MLB regular season start in 2025?

The MLB regular season is set to begin on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with multiple games scheduled across the league. This date aligns with recent trends of starting in late March.

Why does the baseball season start in March or April?

Baseball starts in spring to avoid winter weather in northern cities, allow time for spring training, and follow historical tradition dating back to the 19th century. Starting in March or April ensures optimal playing conditions and aligns with the sport’s seasonal identity.

Do all teams play on Opening Day?

Not necessarily. While most teams play on Opening Day, some may have their first game a day or two later due to scheduling, weather delays, or participation in international openers that occur earlier in the week.

Has the MLB season ever started earlier than March?

No, the regular season has never officially started before March. However, exhibition games and spring training begin in February. Rare exceptions include special events like the 2023 Seoul Series, which began MLB action in Asia before domestic Opening Day.

How many games are played in the MLB regular season?

Each MLB team plays 162 games during the regular season, a format that has been standard since 1961 (American League) and 1962 (National League). The full season runs from late March or early April through early October.