MLB Announces 2027 Season Schedule

Major League Baseball recently concluded its 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and it’s already time to consider the schedule for next year.

On Thursday, MLB unveiled the full schedule for the 2027 season, highlighting some significant changes. The season is set to kick off on March 24th with a yet-to-be-determined single game, deviating from the traditional late March to early April start.

This marks the earliest opening day in baseball history, except for international games. Netflix, which hosted the Opening Night game after the recent Home Run Derby, faces some challenges, especially given that the Derby’s ratings were the lowest in two decades. This could be concerning for the league if they’re aiming to draw in large crowds.

As for the new schedule, it raises some important questions for the league, players, and team owners. What happens if a lockout occurs, and, importantly, how quickly is it resolved?

There’s a general consensus that baseball is on an upswing—interest, ratings, and attendance are increasing. But if the league were to miss games, that momentum might be jeopardized. With the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the MLB Players Association set to expire on December 1st, this concern becomes rather pressing.

While it appears the gap between both sides isn’t as vast as initially thought, they’re still far from a resolution. The owners have even run a rather questionable ad campaign pushing for a salary cap, despite the fact that the $69 million Marlins are outperforming the $370 million Mets. This imbalance highlights the players’ argument—limiting earnings to protect ownership isn’t a viable option.

This fundamental disagreement impacts the future of the sport, and the early opening day means both sides have less time to negotiate a compromise. Not only is the date earlier, but players will also need time for spring training. The previous lockout already pushed back the start of the regular season by a week.

If this leads to more discussions, that might be beneficial. But imagine if, after a team like the Milwaukee Brewers or Miami Marlins won the World Series, owners announced a bleak future for small markets. That would definitely raise eyebrows regarding competitive balance.

If an agreement is reached quickly, the 2027 All-Star Game is slated to take place at Wrigley Field—one of baseball’s most historic venues.

Wrigley, known for its electrifying atmosphere, would be an ideal spot for the Home Run Derby. Local excitement is already building, particularly around star player Pete Crow-Armstrong.

“It’s going to be crazy,” he remarked at a media day prior to this year’s All-Star festivities. “Wrigleyville is lively all week long. I’m curious about the crowd and how busy it’ll be. But I trust our front office to handle it well. Wrigley is beautiful, and I’m glad it’ll be showcased.”

Wrigley Field promises to be a fantastic setting for the stars of the game—assuming, of course, that the 2027 MLB season actually happens. If the league wants to keep fans engaged and avoid significant financial losses, it would be wise to make that a priority.