The 2025 MLB season is officially here, and Opening Day features two key nationally broadcast games. We’ll show you everything you need to know about how to watch MLB Opening Day games, including live streaming options for cord-cutters.
The season technically kicked off last week in Tokyo, Japan, when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs faced off in a two-game series. The Dodgers, fresh off a World Series win, won both games and will appear in a nationally broadcast game against the Detroit Tigers tonight. Today marks the first official stateside games of the season. Every team will play on March 27, with the exception of the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies, who will square off on March 28.
Keep reading to learn how to watch the 2025 Opening Day games, including start times and channel info. If you’re looking to watch the rest of the season, check out our how to watch MLB live streams guide.
What channel are Opening Day games on?
Most games will be shown locally on regional sports networks, but two games — the Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Yankees game at 3 p.m. ET and the Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game at 7 p.m. ET — will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
How to watch MLB Opening Day games in the US
You know best when it comes to tuning into your local sports networks, but those hoping to watch nationally broadcast ESPN games can do so through various streaming services, including ESPN Plus, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo.
One of the cheapest ways to live stream today’s nationally broadcast games is through ESPN Plus. Subscriptions start at $12/month and offer live streaming for various sporting events. While both of the ESPN broadcast games will be available here today, it’s important to remember that the streaming service won’t offer every future MLB on ESPN game. Instead, ESPN Plus carries select games from ABC and ESPN and other exclusive content.
ESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC fights. You can pay $12 monthly or go for an annual deal, which saves you about $20 a year. There’s also a bundle with Hulu and Disney Plus, which offers an even better discount.
You can also catch the games through a live TV streaming channel package, enabling you to watch all other ESPN games this season. Sling TV is one of the most affordable options. You’ll need to subscribe to the Sling Orange plan to access ESPN and 34 other live channels. Subscriptions start at $46/month, but you can get 50% off your first month of service.
You can access 35 live channels with Sling Orange, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. Right now, you can get 50% off your first month before subscriptions go back to $46 a month, which you can cancel any time.
DirecTV Stream and Fubo are to other popular live TV packages. These are great ESPN-friendly options for MLB fans looking to live stream the whole season since they both also carry FOX and FS1 (although Fubo doesn’t offer TBS, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for those games.)
When it comes to DirecTV Stream, you’ll want to opt for the MySports pack, which carries 25+ popular sports channels for $70/month. You can also get local games with the MyHome Team for an additional $20/month, but you should check to see what regional sports are available in your area before subscribing. Subscriptions come with a five-day free trial for new customers.
Fubo’s Pro plan offers 150+ live channels, including ample regional sports coverage. Subscriptions start at $85/month, but regional sports fees typically add some extra costs each month. New users can get $30 off their month of service after a one-week free trial.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.
How to watch MLB Opening Day games from anywhere
MLB fans traveling outside the US can still catch the games with the help of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow people to change the virtual locations on their electronic devices. This way, they can access the same websites and apps they use back home. They’re also instant ways to boost cybersecurity. Since the services we’ve recommended require US methods of payment, this option will work best for Americans who are just abroad at the moment.
ExpressVPN is consistently our top recommendation. It’s easy to use and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about it in our ExpressVPN review and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.
How to watch MLB Opening Day games with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don’t have one.
- Install it on the device you’re using to watch.
- Turn it on and set it to a US location.
- Sign up for one of the above streaming services.
- Enjoy the games.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming on Business Insider’s Reviews team. A lifelong entertainment and media buff, she specializes in helping you find how to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events.ExperienceLillian has been writing about entertainment, sports, TV, and film for over six years, starting her career in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe. She went on to write entertainment features, roundups, and conduct celebrity interviews for publications like Vulture, TV Guide, Esquire, Time, and The Daily Beast before joining Business Insider as a streaming specialist. In her current role, she writes about everything from finding the right VPN for watching overseas soccer games to choosing between the endless number of streaming services out there. When she’s not writing, she is editing stories from freelancers or fellow Reviews team members. Lillian is also an expert deal hunter. She loves the thrill of sharing an amazing discount with readers, whether it be on her favorite streaming services or on products she knows our team loves and recommends. She plays an active role in writing about sales and deals for the Reviews team.Why you can trust LillianWhether she’s testing streaming platform interfaces or actively comparing channel offerings between services, Lillian always has her finger on the pulse of what’s new in entertainment. She has tested nearly every streaming service and is an expert when it comes to VPNs. She is the first person to know when a streaming service has changed its price, and whether or not it’s still worth paying for. As a sports fan, she also knows exactly where the next big playoff game is streaming, what time it starts, and where they’re playing. Expertise
- Streaming services
- How to watch your favorite films, TV, sports
- VPN services for legal streaming
- Deals
Outside of workMost of the time, you can find Lillian watching a horror movie, WNBA game (go Liberty!), or long-distance running. She is located in Boston.
Read more Read less
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].
