MLB to have earliest opening day on March 24 in 2027 — if there is a season
Context:
MLB plans the earliest opening day ever for 2027 on March 24, with a single game televised by Netflix and teams yet to be chosen; opening matchups feature marquee interleague clashes across the slate. The season hinges on a new labor deal, as the contract expires December 1 and a management lockout is anticipated, potentially delaying or altering plans similar to the 2022 scramble. The Athletics will again split home games with a West Sacramento base before moving to Las Vegas, and Chicago’s Wrigley Field is slated to host the All-Star Game on July 13, followed by a rivalry weekend. With no agreement in place for 2027, international games are not scheduled, and the regular season is slated to conclude around September 26. The outlined schedule reflects a high-impact, uncertain setup reliant on labor negotiations.
Dive Deeper:
MLB announced 2027 will begin with the earliest opening day on March 24, featuring a single marquee game televised by Netflix; exact opening-night matchups had not yet been finalized.
Labor talks are unresolved as the current contract expires on December 1, raising the likelihood of a management lockout and potential disruptions to the schedule.
Athletics plan to base most 2027 home games in West Sacramento for a third straight year before transitioning to a new Las Vegas ballpark, with a May 31 homestand at the Triple-A park in Las Vegas against San Diego and Cincinnati.
All-Star activities are set for Wrigley Field on July 13, and a rivalry weekend is planned to follow, signaling continued fan engagement despite the looming labor impasse.
Absent a 2027 labor agreement, international games are not on the schedule, and the regular season is expected to end around September 26, mirroring past timing but contingent on negotiations.