- by Caspian Beaumont
- on 2 Oct, 2025
When ESPN teamed up with Major League Baseball to roll out the 2025 Sunday Night Baseball schedule, fans instantly knew the season would start with fireworks. The opener lands on March 30, pitting the San Diego Padres – led by shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. – against the Atlanta Braves and their dynamic rookie Ronald Acuña Jr.. The broadcast will hit homes at 7 p.m. ET on the ESPN cable network, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes, giving millions of baseball‑loving Americans a new weekly ritual.
Schedule Overview
ESPN has committed to 25 Sunday night games spanning late March through late September. While the exact line‑up can shift up to two weeks before a matchup, the core slate is set. Early‑season heavy‑hitters include four appearances each for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, three games for the Philadelphia Phillies, and three for the San Diego Padres. The calendar also threads in marquee events like the Opening Day doubleheader, the T‑Mobile Home Run Derby and the MLB Wild Card Series.
Key Matchups and Star Power
Fans can pencil in several must‑watch contests. May 18 marks the classic "Subway Series" when the New York Mets travel to the New York Yankees during MLB Rivalry Week. Five days later, a National League Championship Series‑style rematch pits Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers against Juan Soto and the New York Mets. The June 1 showdown, billed as a "World Series Rematch," will see Aaron Judge lead the Yankees against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers.
Beyond those marquee duels, the schedule sprinkles in a July 6 Fourth of July doubleheader (Texas Rangers vs San Diego Padres) and the 2025 MLB Little League Classic on August 17, when the Seattle Mariners face the New York Mets in a nationwide tribute to youth baseball.
Broadcast Platforms and Pre‑Game Show
Every Sunday night, the game rolls out on ESPN’s flagship channel, but the network is betting on a multi‑platform experience. Subscribers can stream live via the ESPN app, while cord‑cutters can catch the action on ESPN Radio’s nationwide feed or the Spanish‑language ESPN Deportes channel. One hour before tip‑off, Bob Wischusen and Coco Crisp host "Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown," breaking down lineups, pitching match‑ups and the stories that matter most.
Impact on Teams and Fans
For clubs, a Sunday night slot means national exposure and a chance to showcase their brand on a prime television stage. The Dodgers, with four appearances, get to cement their status as a West Coast powerhouse, while the Mets, also with four games, finally earn a regular‑season spotlight in the New York market. Smaller‑market teams like the Rangers and Mariners benefit from the added visibility, especially when paired with community‑focused events like the Little League Classic.
From a fan perspective, the schedule offers a built‑in social ritual. Whether it’s gathering at a sports bar, watching from the living room or streaming on a mobile device, the predictability of a weekly Sunday night game helps fans plan outings and keep up with the season’s narrative arcs. Moreover, the inclusion of Spanish‑language coverage acknowledges the growing Latino baseball audience, a demographic that ESPN has been courting with increasing fervor.
What’s Next for the 2025 Season
While the early‑season slate is now set, the postseason drama is already unfolding. As of October 2, 2025, Wild Card games are underway, with match‑ups like Detroit vs Cleveland and Boston vs New York Yankees being aired on ESPN. Division Series action is slated to begin on October 4, with games spread across TBS, HBO Max and truTV. Those postseason results will help define the narrative arcs that Sunday Night Baseball will revisit later in the fall.
Looking ahead, the network has hinted at a potential mid‑season special: a "Game of the Year" spotlight that could feature a marquee clash between two of the league’s biggest superstars – perhaps a showdown of Judge versus Ohtani when both are at full health. Whatever the plan, the 2025 schedule positions ESPN as the go‑to home for baseball’s biggest moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2025 Sunday Night Baseball season start?
The season kicks off on March 30, 2025, with the San Diego Padres hosting the Atlanta Braves at 7 p.m. ET.
Which platforms can I use to watch the games?
Games air live on the ESPN cable channel, stream via the ESPN app, broadcast on ESPN Radio, and are also available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
What are the biggest matchups to look forward to?
Key games include the May 18 Subway Series (Mets vs Yankees), the May 25 NLCS‑style rematch (Dodgers vs Mets), and the June 1 World Series rematch featuring Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
How many Sunday Night games will be broadcast in 2025?
ESPN has slated 25 regular‑season Sunday Night Baseball games between late March and late September, plus five additional exclusive MLB events.
Will there be any special events tied to the schedule?
Yes. Highlights include the T‑Mobile Home Run Derby, a Fourth of July doubleheader on July 6, and the MLB Little League Classic on August 17, all aired as part of the Sunday Night package.