2025 MLB dates: Free agency, spring training, Opening Day

The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions for an eighth time in franchise history, defeating the New York Yankees four games to one.

While LA and NY battled it out in the fall classic, many players, teams and fans had already moved onto next season.

So with the 2024 MLB season officially in the rearview, let’s look ahead to key dates for the start of the 2025 season.

October 31, 2024: Free agency opens

While players officially become free agents the day after the final game of the World Series, which in 2024, is October 31, they cannot sign with a new team until five days later, in this case November 4.

The five-day period allows for a player and their “current” team to negotiate a deal that prevents the player from hitting the open market, or exercise team or player options in their existing contract.

Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell are among the top free agents available this offseason.

November 3-22, 2024: MLB Awards announced

That’s right, the MLB announces all of its major individual regular season awards – including AL and NL MVP, Cy Young, and more – after the conclusion of the World Series.

The following dates will see award winners announced – Nov. 3 (Gold Glove), Nov. 12 (Silver Slugger), Nov. 14 (All-MLB teams, Hank Aaron Awards), Nov. 18 (AL & NL Rookie of the Year), Nov. 20 (AL & NL Cy Young Award), Nov. 21 (AL & NL MVP Award).

December 9-12, 2024: Winter Meetings

Winter Meetings are considered the most significant few days of the entire MLB offseason. In 2024, they will take place in Dallas, Texas between Monday, December 9 and Thursday, December 12.

This is where owners, general managers and representative from all 30 MLB franchises meet, most notably to discuss player trades and transactions.

Players to be dealt or sign with a new team during Winter Meetings include Nolan Ryan, Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols.

Click here for more on the MLB Winter Meetings, including dates, location, attendees, and history.

February 2025: Pitchers and catchers report

Every year, pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training signifies the start of the new season. Each team has a different date for then they require players to report.

In 2025, they will fall between the first and second week of February.

February 20, 2025: Spring training games begin

The MLB announced in August that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will open 2025 spring training on Thursday, February 20.

Spring training games will continue through to Opening Day.

Read 2025 MLB spring training start date, schedule, how to watch, leagues on site.

March 18, 2025: Opening Day

Just like in 2024, Opening Day will take place overseas with the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan.

The teams will play a two-game set on March 18 and 19, 2025.

The other 28 teams will open their 2025 season in the United States on March 27.