Spring Training Schedules Unveiled for 2025 MLB Season
The anticipation for the 2025 Major League Baseball season is already palpable as the eagerly awaited spring training schedules have been released. With 30 teams preparing for a crucial prelude to the regular season, fans can look forward to exciting matchups in both Florida's Grapefruit League and Arizona's Cactus League.
Spring training will commence with a thrilling opening game between two of the league's storied franchises—the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. This inaugural clash is set for Thursday, February 20 at Camelback Ranch, promising an early taste of baseball action.
The New York Yankees, another team with a rich history, will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the first Grapefruit League game the following day, Friday, February 21. Baseball fans in Florida and Arizona can rejoice as the opening weekend of spring training features all 30 teams taking the field for the first time on Saturday, February 22, followed by additional action-packed games on Sunday, February 23.
Key Spring Training Matchups
This year's schedule is peppered with exciting matchups and series that will capture the attention of baseball enthusiasts everywhere. Towards mid-March, the Spring Breakout series will take place from March 13 to March 15, becoming one of the highlights of the spring training calendar.
The Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs will engage in a compelling two-game series in Arizona on March 24-25. Adding to the interstate excitement, the Colorado Rockies will venture to Florida to confront the Minnesota Twins on March 25. Both games exemplify the cross-country spectacles that make spring training an essential part of the baseball calendar.
As always, one of the most hotly anticipated events is the annual Freeway Series between city rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels. This year's series will see one game at Dodger Stadium and two at Angel Stadium, a trifecta bound to generate significant buzz and a display of competitive Southern California baseball.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians will face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, and fans can also look forward to the Kansas City Royals taking on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
International and Local Opening Days
Bridging the excitement from spring to the regular season, the schedule includes a notable international rendezvous. The Dodgers and the Cubs will open the regular season with an overseas series in Tokyo on March 18-19. This move not only highlights MLB's commitment to growing the game globally but also offers an enticing start to the season for fans internationally. Both teams will return stateside post-Tokyo to resume their spring training commitments, ensuring no momentum is lost leading into the full slate of games.
Following their international adventure, the adrenaline will continue to surge as Stateside Opening Day is firmly slated for March 27. On this day, all 30 MLB teams are set to take to the field, marking an impressive full-throttle start to what promises to be another thrilling season of America's pastime.
Spring training, with its blend of veteran superstars and up-and-coming talent, serves as the perfect precursor to the main event – the regular season. With these dates now marked on the calendar, the 2025 MLB season is well and truly underway, promising to deliver the drama, excitement, and unpredictable moments that make baseball so beloved. As fans eagerly await the first pitch, the stage is set for another unforgettable season.