When Is Baseball Season in America? MLB Calendar Explained

In Major League Baseball, the regular season usually begins in late March or early April and runs through the first Sunday in October. During this six-month stretch, each of the 30 teams plays 162 games, spread across almost every day of the week. After the regular season concludes, the MLB playoffs begin in October, culminating in the World Series, which typically ends in late October or early November. Between off-season activities, spring training, and mid-season events, the MLB calendar provides fans with year-round engagement and a structured progression from preseason preparation to championship glory.

Spring Training: February to March

Before the official season begins, MLB teams gather for spring training, a preseason period where players prepare for the long months ahead. Spring training games typically start in February or March, and teams train in warmer climates such as Arizona and Florida.This period allows players to build conditioning, work through early-season kinks, and compete for roster spots. For fans, spring training offers an early glimpse of new team dynamics, prospects, and position battles before the games start to count.

MLB Regular Season: Late March/Early April to October

The MLB regular season officially opens in late March or early April, depending on the year’s calendar. Each team participates in a 162-game schedule that extends over more than half the calendar year.This lengthy schedule requires daily play for most of the season, with series against divisional rivals, interleague matchups, and road trips that test depth and endurance. The regular season continues through the first Sunday in October, when teams aim to clinch division titles or secure wild-card spots in the postseason.

All-Star Break and Mid-Season Events

Partway through the season, usually in July, MLB pauses for the All-Star Game and its associated festivities. This midpoint celebration highlights the sport’s top performers and offers fans a break in the regular schedule before August and September’s playoff push.The All-Star weekend also includes skills competitions and exhibitions that celebrate baseball culture and showcase talent from around the league.

MLB Postseason: October Baseball

After the regular season ends in early October, the MLB playoffs begin. Teams that have won their divisions or earned wild-card berths enter a tiered playoff format, including the Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship Series, and finally the World Series.Postseason baseball often takes place throughout October, with the World Series sometimes extending into early November depending on scheduling and the length of each series. This stretch — often referred to as “October baseball” — is when rivalries intensify and legends are made.

Offseason: November to February

Once the World Series concludes, MLB enters its offseason. During this period, team executives focus on trades, free-agent signings, and roster planning for the next year. Players rest, rehab injuries, or participate in winter leagues and international competition.The offseason also includes events such as the MLB Winter Meetings, where teams negotiate and prepare for the upcoming season’s challenges.

How the MLB Calendar Shapes the Game

Understanding the MLB calendar — from spring training through October playoffs — gives fans context for everything from player development to team strategy. The long regular season emphasizes consistency and depth, while the postseason highlights clutch performance under pressure.Whether you’re following opening day excitement, mid-season drama, or postseason intensity, the structure of baseball season in America offers a compelling arc that keeps fans connected throughout the year.