When Are the Baseball Playoffs in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · April 15, 2034

The MLB playoffs typically begin in early October and conclude by early November, with the exact dates varying each year based on the regular season schedule. In 2025, the postseason is expected to start around October 7–8, following the conclusion of the 162-game regular season.

Understanding the MLB Playoff Structure

The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs determine the league champion through a multi-round postseason tournament involving 12 teams—six from each league (American and National). The format was expanded in 2022 to include more teams and enhance competitive balance.

Teams That Qualify for the Playoffs

Three division winners from each league (East, Central, West)
Three wild card teams from each league with the next best records
The two highest-seeded division winners in each league receive a first-round bye
The remaining four teams per league compete in the best-of-three Wild Card Series

MLB Playoff Format Breakdown

The MLB postseason consists of four rounds:

Wild Card Series: Best-of-three series hosted by the higher seed
Division Series (ALDS/NLDS): Best-of-five series
Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS): Best-of-seven series
World Series: Best-of-seven series between AL and NL champions

The entire playoff run usually lasts about four weeks, culminating in the World Series, which traditionally ends by early November.

Expected 2025 MLB Playoff Schedule

While official dates for the 2025 postseason will be confirmed closer to the season, historical patterns allow for reliable projections. Based on the 2025 MLB regular season ending on September 28, the playoffs are projected as follows:

Round	Dates (Projected)	Format	Teams Involved
Wild Card Series	October 7–9, 2025	Best-of-3	4 lowest seeds per league
Division Series	October 11–17, 2025	Best-of-5	6 teams per league (survivors + top 2 seeds)
League Championship Series	October 19–27, 2025	Best-of-7	2 teams per league
World Series	October 28 – November 5, 2025	Best-of-7	AL Champion vs. NL Champion

Table data source:1, 2

The projected timeline reflects recent MLB scheduling trends, including off-days for travel and optimal TV broadcast windows. The expansion to 12 teams has slightly extended the early playoff phase while maintaining the traditional late-October World Series start.

Key Factors Influencing Playoff Timing

Several elements can affect the exact playoff calendar:

Regular season length: 162 games must conclude before postseason begins
International games or weather delays: Can shift the final week of the season
Broadcast agreements: Networks like FOX, TBS, and ESPN influence scheduling
All-Star Game date: Held in July, it indirectly sets the season’s midpoint

Frequently Asked Questions About the Baseball Playoffs

When do the baseball playoffs start in 2025?

The MLB playoffs are projected to begin on October 7, 2025, with the Wild Card Series. The exact date will be confirmed after the 2025 regular season concludes in late September.

How many teams make the MLB playoffs?

Twelve teams qualify for the MLB postseason—six from the American League and six from the National League, including three division winners and three wild card teams per league.

What is the MLB playoff format?

The current format includes a best-of-three Wild Card Series, followed by the best-of-five Division Series, best-of-seven Championship Series, and the best-of-seven World Series.

How long do the baseball playoffs last?

The MLB playoffs typically last about four weeks, starting in early October and ending by early November, depending on how many games are played in each series.

Where are the MLB playoff games held?

Games are hosted at the ballparks of the higher-seeded teams, especially in the early rounds. The World Series alternates hosting rights, but home-field advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record.