MLB Schedule · Season Length · 2026 Guide
How Many Games
How Many Games
in an MLB Season?
The complete breakdown of 162 games, why baseball plays more games than any other sport, and what has changed from 2023 to 2026.
The answer
Each team plays 162 regular-season games.
With 30 teams in Major League Baseball, that's 2,430 total regular season games every year. The season runs from late March through late September, making baseball the longest regular season of any major North American sport — roughly six months of nearly daily games designed to test team consistency and depth.
The 2026 MLB schedule — dates and structure
Opening
Mar 25–26
March 25: Giants vs Yankees (Opening Night). March 26: All other teams
Close
Sep 27
Regular season ends. Postseason begins September 29.
All-Star Game
Jul 14
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia (250th anniversary of Independence)
The 2026 season opens with a historic moment: March 26 is the earliest scheduled traditional Opening Day in MLB history. The regular season spans exactly 185 days from March 25 to September 27, followed by a postseason comprising four rounds (Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship, and World Series) culminating in the World Series which will end by October 31 if necessary.
Schedule breakdown — where the 162 games come from
The 162-game schedule is split into three tiers based on opponent geography and conference. Since 2023, MLB restructured the schedule to balance competitive equity and fan experience.
| Category | Games | Structure | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional | 52 | 13 games vs each of 4 division rivals | Building rivalry intensity while reducing divisional dominance effect |
| Intraleague | 64 | 6 games vs six teams, 7 games vs four teams in same league | Balanced schedule among all 15 teams in the conference |
| Interleague | 46 | 6-game home-and-home with designated rival, spread across other league | Fan interest, variety, and cross-league competition |
| Total | 162 | — | — |
Why the 2023 restructure mattered
Before 2023, teams played 76 games against divisional rivals, which meant a strong division could block weaker teams from the playoffs while weak divisions let mediocre teams slip through. The new format (52 division / 64 intraleague / 46 interleague) gives more equal weight to league performance, making the playoff field more competitive and the season more unpredictable for fans.
History — why 162 games at all
Baseball's 162-game schedule didn't arrive by accident. It evolved over more than a century as the sport grew from a regional pastime to America's national sport.
1870s–1900s
Early MLB seasons ranged from 70–84 games. The sport was still defining itself, and scheduling was chaotic.
1920s–1950s
Schedule expanded to 140–156 games as the league stabilized. More games meant more revenue and a clearer picture of team quality.
1961 (AL) / 1962 (NL)
162 games adopted. League expansion (adding new franchises) created the need for a balanced 162-game schedule. This standard has held for over 60 years.
1972
Labor strike shortened season. Teams played 154–155 games.
1981
50-day players strike. Teams played 102–111 games. Season was split into two halves with a playoff between division winners.
1994
Players strike began August 12. Teams played 112–117 games. First time since 1904 that the World Series was cancelled. Public anger was severe.
1995
Strike aftereffects shortened season to 144 games. Fan attendance dropped dramatically due to lingering resentment.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic forced a 60-game season. Teams played from July-September with condensed schedule.
Why 162 games? — the logic behind the marathon
Balances competition across the league
Unlike shorter seasons where a hot streak can define outcomes, 162 games allows true quality to emerge. A team cannot luck its way through — they must perform consistently across six months, dozens of different pitching matchups, travel across North America, and injuries to key players. The long season is a crucible that separates the best teams from pretenders.
Provides accurate statistical data
Baseball is fundamentally statistics-driven. Scouts, analysts, and teams rely on player performance data to evaluate talent, build rosters, and make trades. A longer season provides a larger sample size, making stats more reliable. A batting average from 162 games tells you far more about a player than one from 60 games.
Maximizes fan engagement and revenue
Every game represents ticket sales, concessions, broadcast rights, and merchandise revenue. With 30 teams playing 162 games each, MLB generates 2,430 regular-season games annually — a constant stream of entertainment from March through September. Teams and the league depend on this revenue to operate payroll, fund facilities, and invest in the sport.
The player toll — why it matters
162 games, plus spring training (roughly 30 games), plus potential postseason games, means professional baseball players can appear in 200+ games in a single year. That's nearly daily competition from February to October with minimal recovery time. This brutal schedule is why rest days are fiercely negotiated, why injuries spike in September, and why players value short off-seasons for conditioning.
The "Club 162" phenomenon — playing all 162 games
Appearing in all 162 games of a season is increasingly rare. While there is usually at least one player who accomplishes it each year, the trend is downward as teams prioritize rest and injury prevention. In 2025, only six players appeared in 162+ games league-wide.
All-time leaders in 162-game seasons:
| Player | 162-Game Seasons | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Ripken Jr. | 10 | 1982–1998 (His 2,632 consecutive-game streak) |
| Nellie Fox | 9 | 1960s |
| Al Kaline | 9 | 1950s–1970s |
| Honus Wagner | 8 | 1900–1920 |
| Matt Olson (current) | 5 | 2021–2025 (4 consecutive seasons) |
Cal Ripken Jr.'s "Iron Man" streak of 2,632 consecutive games (1982–1998) remains the gold standard. But even with that legendary durability, Ripken only played full 162-game seasons 10 times — missing others due to strikes (1981, 1994, 1995) or other factors.
Comparison — why baseball stands alone
| Sport | Regular Season Games | Duration | Total Games (teams × games) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (Baseball) | 162 | March–September (~6 months) | 2,430 |
| NBA (Basketball) | 82 | October–April (~7 months) | 1,230 |
| NFL (Football) | 17 | September–January (~5 months) | 272 |
| NHL (Hockey) | 82 | October–April (~7 months) | 1,230 |
| MLS (Soccer) | 34 | February–November (~9 months) | 544 |
Baseball's 162-game schedule dwarfs every other major North American sport. MLB plays nearly twice as many games as the NBA or NHL, and nearly ten times as many as the NFL. This length is a feature, not a flaw — it's woven into baseball's identity and strategy.
Frequently asked questions
When did MLB start playing 162 games?
The American League adopted a 162-game schedule in 1961 after expansion added new franchises. The National League followed in 1962. This standard has remained unchanged for over 60 years (except for strike years 1972, 1981, 1994-1995, and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season).
Has the 162-game schedule ever been changed?
Yes, temporarily. Strikes shortened seasons in 1972 (154–155 games), 1981 (102–111 games), 1994 (112–117 games), and 1995 (144 games). The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic reduced the season to 60 games. Otherwise, 162 games has been the standard since 1961.
Why doesn't baseball reduce the season to 140 games like some have proposed?
Financial and competitive reasons. Fewer games mean lower revenue from ticket sales, concessions, and broadcast rights. Competitively, 162 games provides the most accurate picture of team quality over time. Shorter seasons would increase luck and wild variance, potentially letting weaker teams reach the playoffs. Both the league and players' union prioritize the current schedule.
How many total games does MLB play in a season?
2,430 regular-season games (30 teams × 162 games each). If you include spring training (roughly 900 games across all teams) and postseason (which varies by year but typically 60–70 games), the total is closer to 3,400 games annually across all levels.
Do all teams play their 162 games every year?
Almost always, unless there are strikes, pandemics, or other extraordinary circumstances. Spring training and off-days are built into the schedule to allow rest and accommodate weather delays. A team's 162 games typically run from late March through late September.
162 is not arbitrary — it is baseball's rhythm
The 162-game schedule is the backbone of Major League Baseball's identity. It balances competition, provides reliable statistical data, generates necessary revenue, and tests team consistency like no other sport. From early spring to September, the marathon ensures that the best teams rise to the top.
The 2026 season opens March 25–26 and runs through September 27. Expect 2,430 regular-season games across the league. That's six months of nearly daily baseball — the sport's greatest strength and most defining characteristic.