Quick answer: Every MLB team plays 162 games in the regular season, 81 at home and 81 on the road. With 30 teams, that is 2,430 games in total. The 2026 season ran from March 26 to September 27, about 186 days.
That is far more than most sports. The NFL plays 17 games, and the NBA and NHL play 82. Below you will find how the 162 games are split, why baseball plays so many, how the number has changed, and how other leagues compare. You can also use the pace tool to see how any team's record is on track to finish.
⚡ Season Pace Tool
Enter a team's wins and losses. See how much of the season is done, where the record is heading, and what the team needs to reach a target.
How the 162 Games Are Split
Since 2023, MLB uses a balanced schedule, so every team plays every other team at least once. Here is how one team's 162 games break down:
| Type of game | Games | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Division games | 52 | 13 games against each of the 4 teams in the same division |
| Same league, other divisions | 64 | 6 or 7 games against each of the other 10 teams in the league |
| Interleague | 46 | 4 games against one natural rival and 3 against each of the other 14 teams in the other league |
| Total | 162 | 81 at home, 81 on the road |
Before 2023, teams played far more games against their own division and some teams in the other league never met. The balanced schedule means every fan can see every team at least once a year.
When Does the MLB Season Start and End?
The regular season starts in late March or early April and ends in late September. In 2026, Opening Day was March 26 (with one night game the day before), and the last day of the regular season was September 27. The playoffs began two days later.
The season is not over after game 162. The 12 playoff teams keep going into October:
- Wild Card Series: best of 3
- Division Series: best of 5
- League Championship Series: best of 7
- World Series: best of 7
So the champion's season can end close to the start of November. Before all of this, teams also play about a month of spring training games in February and March. Those do not count in the standings.
Why Does Baseball Have 162 Games?
It looks like a random number, but it comes from history. For decades, each team played 154 games, starting in 1904. In 1961, the American League added two teams and grew to 10. Each team then played every opponent 18 times (9 opponents × 18 = 162). The National League moved to 162 in 1962 when it added two teams.
Other reasons the number has stayed:
- Tradition. Records and stats are measured against 162 games. Changing it would make comparing eras harder.
- Money. More home games mean more tickets, concessions and TV content. Baseball sells a daily product.
- The sport itself. Baseball is less hard on the body each day than football, and teams use a rotation of pitchers, so teams can play almost every day.
- It sorts out luck. With so many games, the best teams usually rise to the top. Even the best team loses about 60 games in a season.
Seasons That Were Shorter Than 162 Games
A few seasons were cut short:
- 1981: a players' strike removed about two months. Teams played roughly 100 to 110 games.
- 1994: another strike ended the season in August. There was no postseason or World Series.
- 1995: the season started late and teams played 144 games.
- 2020: because of COVID-19, teams played only 60 games.
Short seasons also change records. For example, in 2020 very few pitchers could reach the innings needed to win an ERA title. We cover that in how many innings you need to qualify for the ERA title, which uses the 162-game season as the base.
How Many Games in Other Baseball Leagues?
| League | Regular-season games |
|---|---|
| MLB | 162 |
| Triple-A (minor leagues) | About 150 |
| Double-A | About 138 |
| Japan (NPB) | 143 |
| Korea (KBO) | 144 |
| College (NCAA Division I) | Up to 56 |
| High school | Varies by state, often 20 to 30 |
The number of games changes the scale of the stats. A 162-game season is long enough for averages to settle, which is why we have 162-game benchmarks for hitters and pitchers. In shorter seasons, a few good or bad games can swing a pitcher's ERA a lot. If you are comparing leagues, read our post on NPB vs MLB ERA.
How Many Wins Does It Take to Make the Playoffs?
An even record is 81-81. In recent years, teams with around 84 to 90 wins have often been in the hunt for the last playoff spots, though it changes every year. Winning 100 games is rare and usually means a team is a top contender. These are rough guides, not rules.
Late in the season, teams track the magic number, the combined wins and rival losses needed to clinch. Our magic number calculator works it out for a division or wild card race.
🎯 The Bottom Line
MLB teams play 162 games: 81 home and 81 away. The season runs from late March to late September, with the playoffs in October.
The number comes from the 1961 expansion, and it has stayed because of tradition, money and the way baseball is played every day. Short seasons, like the 60-game 2020 year, are the exception.
Chasing a playoff spot?
Work out the magic number, the elimination number and the clinch date for any team.
Open the Magic Number Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How many games are in an MLB season?
An MLB regular season is 162 games per team, with 81 at home and 81 on the road. With 30 teams, there are 2,430 games in total. The playoffs are extra.
When does the MLB season end?
The regular season ends in late September. In 2026 the last day was September 27. The playoffs run through October, and the World Series finishes close to the start of November.
How long is the MLB season?
The regular season runs for about six months, from late March or early April to late September. In 2026 that was about 186 days for 162 games. Spring training adds about a month before it, and the playoffs add about a month after.
Why does baseball have 162 games?
Teams played 154 games from 1904. When the American League added two teams in 1961, it moved to 162 games, so each team could play each of its 9 opponents 18 times. The National League joined in 1962. Tradition and ticket revenue keep the number in place.
How many games did MLB teams play in 2020?
In 2020, because of COVID-19, each team played only 60 games. It was the shortest full MLB season in modern times.
How many wins do you need to make the MLB playoffs?
There is no fixed number. In recent years, teams with roughly 84 to 90 wins have been fighting for the last playoff spots. An even record is 81 wins, and 100 wins is a rare, elite total.