MLB Opening Day 2027 is on Thursday 1 April 2027. All 30 Major League Baseball franchises start the new regular season with a full slate of games, marking the unofficial start of spring across the United States and Canada and signalling six months of baseball ahead.
What is MLB Opening Day?
Opening Day is the start of the Major League Baseball regular season, when all 30 teams play their first official game of the year. Since 2018, MLB has scheduled all 30 teams to play on the same day, creating a coordinated league-wide opener that draws huge television ratings and packed ballparks. Each team plays 162 regular-season games between Opening Day and the end of September, with the postseason starting the following week.
Opening Day is unofficial holiday status in much of the country, with politicians, players and broadcasters lobbying for years to make it a national holiday. Ceremonial first pitches, military flyovers and player introductions form a traditional pre-game ceremony at most ballparks, alongside the unfurling of championship banners for the previous year’s pennant winners and World Series champion.
When is MLB Opening Day 2027?
MLB Opening Day 2027 falls on Thursday 1 April 2027. First pitches are typically staggered through the day, starting in the early afternoon Eastern Time and running into the late evening Pacific Time. The full schedule of 15 games is released by MLB in advance, with marquee matchups regularly assigned to the prime-time national broadcast slots.
Where is MLB Opening Day?
Opening Day games are played at all 30 MLB stadiums simultaneously, from Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee Stadium in New York to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and Oracle Park in San Francisco. International openers have also become a feature of the MLB calendar, with recent seasons opening in Tokyo, Seoul, London, Sydney and Mexico City. International venues for the 2027 opener will be confirmed by MLB closer to the date.
Key Contenders
Every team begins the season with the goal of reaching the World Series, but several franchises typically enter Opening Day with the highest expectations. The defending World Series champion is the natural focus, with players receiving their championship rings and raising the banner. Recent World Series champions include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.
Other teams with consistent contender status include the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. Spring training storylines, free-agent signings and rookie debuts shape Opening Day previews. The 2027 opener will follow the 2026 World Series, with the eventual champion of that series setting the tone for the new campaign.
How to Watch
In the United States, MLB Opening Day games are split between national broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, Apple TV+, MLB Network and Roku, alongside local market coverage by regional sports networks. ESPN traditionally carries a marquee night game. In Canada, Sportsnet broadcasts every Toronto Blue Jays game and selected national matchups. In the United Kingdom, BBC iPlayer and BT Sport historically share some MLB rights, with MLB.tv offering full international streaming. In Japan, NHK and other broadcasters carry games featuring Japanese stars.
History and Records
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day tradition dates back more than a century. The earliest Opening Day games were typically scheduled in mid-April, with teams gradually moving the date forward to maximise the regular-season window. The Cincinnati Reds traditionally hosted the first game of the season for many decades, in recognition of the franchise’s status as the oldest professional baseball club.
Opening Day has produced some of baseball’s most memorable individual performances. Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Jack Morris and Felix Hernandez are among the pitchers to have started multiple Opening Days for their teams. Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson hold the record for the most career home runs hit on Opening Day. Manager Tommy Lasorda holds the record for managing the most consecutive Opening Days.
Tickets and Attendance
Opening Day tickets are traditionally among the highest-demand and most expensive of the regular season. Most teams sell tickets through their official websites and via Ticketmaster and StubHub on the secondary market. Opening Day at the defending World Series champion’s ballpark is typically the toughest ticket to secure. Some teams sell out Opening Day weeks in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does MLB Opening Day 2027 start?
Thursday 1 April 2027, with games staggered throughout the day across all 30 ballparks.
Where is MLB Opening Day being held?
All 30 MLB stadiums host Opening Day games. International openers are sometimes scheduled in addition to the domestic slate.
How can I watch MLB Opening Day?
ESPN, Fox, Apple TV+, MLB Network and regional sports networks in the United States. MLB.tv offers international streaming with blackout restrictions in the US.
Who won the last World Series?
The most recent World Series winner will defend their championship at the 2027 Opening Day ceremony, raising their championship banner before the first pitch.