As Major League Baseball announced the schedule for the 2025 season, fans were thrilled to see some exciting matchups lined up for Opening Day. The Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18, while the Athletics will kick off their season in Sacramento against the Cubs on March 31. This unique start to the season in two different locations promises to bring a global audience together in celebration of the sport we all love.
In a new twist for the 2025 season, each team will play six games against its prime interleague rival instead of the usual four. This change aims to increase the intensity of matchups between teams like the New York Yankees and Mets, Dodgers and Angels, Cubs and White Sox, and Athletics and Giants. The introduction of a Rivalry Weekend on May 16-18 will further highlight these prime interleague rivalries, along with other exciting matchups like Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, Colorado vs. Arizona, Detroit vs. Toronto, and Houston vs. Texas.
After three straight seasons of a return to a balanced schedule, teams in the MLB will face each division rival 13 times, totaling 52 games, and play six or seven games against each other club in its league for a total of 62 games. The remaining 48 games will be against interleague opponents, with each team playing a single three-game series against each of the other 14 clubs in the opposite league. This format aims to provide an even playing field for all teams and increase competition throughout the season.
MLB has continued to expand its global reach with regular-season games in various international locations. The upcoming season will see the Dodgers and Cubs play in Tokyo, marking the 25th anniversary of MLB’s first regular-season games in Japan. While plans to play in Paris next June were abandoned, the league remains committed to showcasing the sport on a global stage. Additionally, the Athletics’ move to Sacramento for the 2025-2027 seasons and their plans for a new ballpark in Las Vegas starting in 2028 reflect the league’s ever-evolving landscape.
As fans eagerly anticipate the start of the 2025 MLB season, the announced schedule promises thrilling matchups, increased interleague play, and a return to a balanced schedule. With games set to kick off in Tokyo and Sacramento, the global appeal of the sport is on full display. As the season unfolds, fans can look forward to intense rivalries, competitive matchups, and the excitement of baseball at its best. Get ready for a season to remember as the 2025 MLB season gets underway.