MLB Opening Day 2025: Schedule, Dates, Tickets & Lineups
Baseball fans had nine extra days to wait in 2025. MLB’s Opening Day landed on March 27—the earliest in league history—kicking off with a pair of international games in Tokyo before 28 of the 30 teams launched into the regular season stateside. Whether you’re tracking which pitchers took the mound or hunting for last-minute tickets, here’s everything that matters about this year’s opening slate.
Date: March 27, 2025 · Teams Playing: 28 of 30 MLB teams · Early Games: Cubs vs Dodgers on March 27 · Tokyo Series: March 18-19 · Games Broadcast: 14 Opening Day games
Quick snapshot
- Tokyo: March 18-19 (MLB.com)
- Main Day: March 27 (ESPN)
- 28 Teams in Action (Fox Sports)
- ESPN Coverage (ESPN)
- FOX Tokyo Series (Fox Sports)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Day Date | Thursday, March 27, 2025 |
| Teams Idle | Cubs and Dodgers played early |
| Total Games | 14 on main day |
| International Start | Tokyo March 18 |
| Rays Venue | George M. Steinbrenner Field |
| Season End | September 28, 2025 |
What Day Is Baseball Opening Day in 2025?
The 2025 MLB regular season opened earlier than ever before. The North American Opening Day fell on Thursday, March 27, with 28 of the 30 teams in action across 14 games (ESPN).
Tokyo Series Dates
Baseball’s international curtain-raiser took place at Tokyo Dome on March 18-19, featuring the Dodgers and Cubs in a two-game set that formally started the season (Fox Sports). The Dodgers won the first game 4-1 (MLB.com). FOX broadcast the Tokyo opener on March 18.
Main Opening Day Schedule
The marquee matchup on March 27 was the Brewers visiting the Yankees at 3:05/4:10 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally by ESPN (ESPN). ESPN also carried the Dodgers at Tigers primetime game at 7:10 p.m. ET.
March 27, 2025 was the earliest Opening Day in MLB history. The condensed timeline means pitchers had less offseason rest, and teams with early international commitments like the Dodgers faced a compressed preparation window.
What Is MLB Opening Day?
MLB Opening Day is the traditional start of the baseball regular season, when all (or nearly all) teams play on the same day. It’s a ritual as much as a sporting event — baseball parks fill, rosters are set, and fresh uniforms take the field for the first time.
Historical Significance
The tradition dates to the early 1900s, though the exact date shifted over the decades as MLB adjusted the schedule. What made 2025 stand out was the timing: March 27 broke the previous record for earliest Opening Day (Fox Sports).
2025 Specifics
Two teams missed the March 27 date. The Rays and Rockies had their matchup pushed to March 28 because Tampa Bay was still preparing George M. Steinbrenner Field as its temporary home — the Rays’ regular stadium, Tropicana Field, sustained major damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024 (MLB.com).
According to MLB.com, the Yankees’ Spring Training complex became the Rays’ home ballpark for 2025 after Tropicana Field sustained significant damage during Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
The pattern shows how weather and venue disruptions can force schedule adjustments even before the season officially begins.
MLB Opening Day 2025 Schedule
Fourteen games loaded the March 27 card. Here’s a rundown of the key matchups and their start times (ET):
Key Matchups
- Brewers at Yankees — 3:05/4:10 p.m. (ESPN) (ESPN)
- Dodgers at Tigers — 7:10 p.m. (ESPN) (ESPN)
- Orioles at Blue Jays — 3:07 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Phillies at Nationals — 4:05 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Red Sox at Rangers — 4:05 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Guardians at Royals — 4:10 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Mets at Astros — 4:10 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Twins at Cardinals — 4:15 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Giants at Reds — 4:10 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Athletics at Mariners — 10:10 p.m. (Fox Sports)
- Cubs at Diamondbacks — 10:10 p.m. (Fox Sports)
Pitching Previews
Fourteen Opening Day starters took the mound. Some notable matchups:
- Brewers (Freddy Peralta, 2 prior Opening Day starts) vs Yankees (Carlos Rodón, 2) (Fox Sports)
- Braves (Chris Sale, 6 prior starts) vs Padres (Michael King, 1) (Fox Sports)
- Pirates (Paul Skenes, 1) vs Marlins (Sandy Alcantara, 5) (Fox Sports)
- Rockies at Rays — March 28, 4:10 p.m. ET: Kyle Freeland (4) vs Ryan Pepiot (1) (Fox Sports)
Chris Sale tied for the most Opening Day starts among 2025 pitchers with six appearances — though his velocity and durability after injury setbacks remained a question mark heading into the season.
The implication: teams leaning on veteran Opening Day starters carried both experience and health-related uncertainty into the season’s first test.
MLB Opening Day 2025 Tickets and Lineups
Ticket Availability
Tickets for all MLB games — including Opening Day matchups — are available through MLB.com, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster (MLB.com). SeatGeek offers price alerts and filters to help fans track demand-driven pricing (SeatGeek).
For budget-conscious fans, SeatGeek’s tips include targeting weekday games, lower-profile teams, and setting price alerts rather than buying at peak demand (SeatGeek). Last-minute tickets remain available on SeatGeek until first pitch.
Starting Lineups
Final starting lineups are released by each team hours before first pitch. Official MLB team accounts and MLB.com post lineup announcements. For the Tokyo Series, both the Dodgers and Cubs had abbreviated preparation windows after international travel.
According to MLB.com’s official ticket portal, direct purchases through MLB.com include verified resale guarantees and mobile-only entry options.
What this means: fans who buy early through official channels gain the most protection against fraudulent tickets and inconvenient entry requirements.
MLB Opening Day 2025 Scores and Highlights
Live Updates
Scores and live play-by-play were available through ESPN’s MLB hub, Fox Sports, and Yahoo Sports on March 27. The 14-game slate delivered late-inning drama across several ballparks.
Key Moments
The Dodgers-Tigers primetime game drew national attention as one of the most star-studded matchups of the evening. The Brewers-Yankees opener carried ESPN’s lead broadcast slot. Results rippled across the AL and NL wild-card races as the season’s first chapter unfolded.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Confirmed facts
- March 27 Opening Day date from ESPN and Fox Sports
- 28 teams playing on March 27 (verified by 4 sources)
- Rays at Steinbrenner Field due to hurricane damage
- Tokyo Series March 18-19 with Dodgers-Cubs
- Dodgers won first Tokyo game 4-1
What’s unclear
- Final Opening Day rosters until official release
- Specific ticket prices vary by venue and demand
- Full postseason bracket structure for October
What People Are Saying
This is the earliest Opening Day in MLB history.
— Fox Sports (Sports Outlet)
The Yankees’ Spring Training complex will be the Rays’ home ballpark for the 2025 season after Tropicana Field sustained significant damage during Hurricane Milton on Oct.
— MLB.com (Official MLB Site)
28 of the 30 MLB clubs will be in action on Opening Day.
— Fox Sports (Sports Outlet)
Related reading: 2025 NBA Playoffs: Teams, Bracket, Schedule & Results
The earliest-ever Opening Day features the Dodgers-Cubs Tokyo series on March 18-19, detailed in this full schedule and TV guide with key storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to baseballs that hit the dirt?
MLB grounds crews pull baseballs that touch the dirt from play immediately. They don’t return to the game — instead, they’re typically discarded or used for batting practice. Umpires inspect each ball and replace scuffed or dirtied baseballs as needed throughout the game.
Has any team scored in every inning?
It’s extremely rare but not unheard of. A team scoring in all nine innings requires sustained offense against a single opponent across a full game, plus favorable conditions like a poor opposing pitching staff. Most games feature at least one quiet inning for each side.
What’s the rarest thing to happen in baseball?
Among the rarest feats: an unassisted triple play, a perfect game in the postseason, or a pitcher throwing both a no-hitter and a perfect game in back-to-back starts. The statistical probability of any of these varies but remains vanishingly small across a 162-game season.
How much do MLB batboys get paid?
Batboys are typically paid hourly wages that vary by team. Some positions offer minimum wage or slightly above; others may provide small stipends. The role is often filled by interns, family members of team staff, or young fans who volunteer as part of team programs.
What is the Ohtani rule?
The “Ohtani rule” refers to MLB’s provisions for two-way players — athletes who pitch and hit at an elite level. The rule allows teams to roster a designated hitter alongside a two-way player without counting the DH slot against the pitcher’s batting position. It was formalized after Shohei Ohtani’s unique dual role with the Angels.
Do MLB wives travel with their husbands?
Most MLB players’ spouses and families travel at their own expense and on their own schedule. Teams provide some travel benefits for families during extended road trips, but there’s no formal policy requiring or restricting family travel. Most wives have their own careers and responsibilities that limit full-season travel.
Which AL team is the richest?
The New York Yankees consistently rank among MLB’s highest-revenue teams, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers (NL) and Boston Red Sox. Forbes publishes annual franchise valuations that factor in local TV deals, stadium revenue, and market size to determine which franchises lead in overall valuation.
The 2025 season’s earliest-ever start created real ripple effects: pitchers reported to camp with less offseason rest, minor-league affiliates adjusted their schedules to accommodate MLB’s accelerated timeline, and fans in cold-weather cities found Opening Day weather more unpredictable than usual. For the Rays, the displaced season at Steinbrenner Field meant a uniquely unfamiliar home environment — and a reminder that the elements don’t always wait for baseball’s calendar.
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