In July 2024, Major League Baseball announced the start date for the 2025 campaign. Much like 2024, it’ll be an early start to the season, as MLB will begin the year in Japan with a series between two National League titans. Here’s a look at the date for Opening Day 2025, plus when the league will start in North America.
When is the Opening Day of the MLB season in 2025?
The official start date for the 2025 MLB season is March 18, 2025, as the Dodgers will face the Chicago Cubs.
Much like in 2024, the baseball season will open up in Asia. However, it will start in Tokyo, Japan, unlike in 2024 when the Dodgers and Padres kicked off 2024 in Korea.
The Tokyo Dome, the host of the two-game set between March 18-19, will likely showcase Japanese sensations Seiya Suzuki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani. The Cubs will be the home team for the Tokyo Series.
When is the domestic start date?
The start date for all other 28 teams will be on March 27, 2025.
Fifteen games are scheduled for March 27.
Matchups on Opening Day
Here’s a look at the scheduled Opening Day matchups on March 27:
- Giants vs. Reds
- Rockies vs. Rays
- Orioles vs. Blue Jays
- Phillies vs. Nationals
- Pirates vs. Marlins
- Brewers vs. Yankees
- Guardians vs. Royals
- Mets vs. Astros
- Red Sox vs. Rangers
- Twins vs. Cardinals
- Angels vs. White Sox
- Cubs vs. Diamondbacks
- Tigers vs. Dodgers
- Athletics vs. Mariners
- Braves vs. Padres
Opening Day will feature several interleague matchups, including the Rockies and Rays and the Twins and Cardinals.
The Brewers opened 2024 in New York and will do so again in 2025 — just not in Queens. Milwaukee will open up the season in The Bronx against the Yankees. Meanwhile, the Mets will start 2025 in Houston against the Astros. Houston started the 2024 campaign against the Yankees.
Pittsburgh opened up 2024 against the Marlins and will do so again in 2025.
Start times have yet to be announced.