MLB plans March 24 start for 2027, if labor fight allows it
MLB says its 2027 season is set to open with a Netflix game, but the labor deal expires Dec. 1 and a lockout is expected.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Major League Baseball has put March 24 on the calendar for the start of its 2027 season, which would be the sport’s earliest domestic opening day, according to MLB.
There is one large catch: the league’s labor agreement expires Dec. 1, and the Associated Press reported that a management lockout is expected. MLB’s plan for the calendar depends on there being a season ready to begin on time.
MLB said Thursday that the season is scheduled to begin with one nationally televised game that night on Netflix. The league has not selected the two teams for that opener.
The broader slate of opening matchups includes Cleveland at the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis at Cincinnati, the Chicago White Sox at Detroit, Texas at Houston, Minnesota at Kansas City, Atlanta at the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets at Miami, the Los Angeles Angels at Milwaukee, Toronto at the New York Yankees, the Athletics at Pittsburgh, Arizona at San Diego, Colorado at San Francisco, Boston at Seattle, Baltimore at Tampa Bay and Philadelphia at Washington.
The labor issue is not a footnote for baseball fans with calendar apps already twitching. The last time MLB reached a new labor deal, in 2022, an agreement was not completed until March 10, according to the Associated Press. That delay moved opening day from March 31 to April 7.
For 2027, MLB has also set the All-Star Game for July 13 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. A rivalry weekend is scheduled to follow the All-Star festivities.
The regular season is currently scheduled to wrap Sept. 26.
The Athletics’ temporary home setup remains part of the 2027 schedule. According to MLB, the club is set to play most of its home games in West Sacramento, California, for a third straight season before its planned move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas.
The A’s are also scheduled for a homestand at the Triple-A ballpark in Las Vegas beginning May 31, with games against San Diego and Cincinnati.
MLB has not scheduled international games for 2027 because there is no labor contract in place for that season, according to the Associated Press.
So the league has a date, a streaming partner, an All-Star site and a full batch of opening matchups. What it does not yet have is the labor peace needed to make the whole thing happen on schedule.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.