- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- End of March or first week of April
- Holiday emoji:
- ⚾
Major League Baseball Opening Day brings the crack of the bat and roar of the crowd every late March or early April. It’s a national holiday for baseball fans, as all 30 teams take the field for their first games of the season. Grab your cap, cheer on your favorite team, and immerse yourself in the excitement of America’s pastime!
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Expected Major League Baseball Opening Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that Major League Baseball Opening Day brings a flurry of deals from major brands and local establishments. Expect fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King to offer special discounts on classic game-day fare. Sports retailers such as Fanatics and Lids will likely feature sales on team apparel and merchandise. Local sports bars and restaurants often run specials on food and drinks, creating a festive atmosphere for fans. Even streaming services like MLB.TV might offer promotional rates for new subscribers. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 1 approaches.
Platform Guide for Major League Baseball Opening Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MLBOpener. Share your game-day rituals, favorite team gear, or reactions to big plays.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #OpeningDayMLB. Post photos of your stadium experience, home viewing party, or best baseball-themed outfits.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #MLBOpeningDay. Join the real-time conversation about game highlights, surprising upsets, and fan reactions.
Major League Baseball Opening Day Hero
Jackie Robinson
Major League Baseball Opening Day timeline
The first Major League Baseball game ever played was on April 22, 1876.
William Howard Taft threw out the first pitch attended the home opener in DC in 1910, making him the first president to throw out a first pitch.
In 1950, the St. Louis Cardinals became the first MLB team to open their season with a night game.
In 2014, Budweiser and Ozzie Smith started a petition to make Opening Day a National Holiday.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Major League Baseball Opening Day
Local businesses can tap into the excitement of Major League Baseball Opening Day by hosting watch parties with game-day food and drink specials. Restaurants and bars can offer discounts to patrons wearing team gear or running baseball-themed trivia. Retailers can create window displays featuring local team colors and merchandise, or even partner with a local youth baseball league for a fundraiser. Consider running a ‘first pitch’ promotion where the first customer to correctly guess a game outcome wins a prize.
Major League Baseball Opening Day FAQs
When is Major League Baseball Opening Day?
For 2027, Major League Baseball Opening Day is on Thursday, April 1, bringing with it the renewed excitement of America’s favorite pastime. Fans eagerly anticipate the return of competitive play across the league.
How many teams play on MLB Opening Day?
The tradition of all 30 teams playing on Opening Day continues in 2027, providing a comprehensive kickoff to the baseball season. It’s a rare occasion when every team starts their journey to the World Series simultaneously.
What is the average attendance for an MLB game?
Looking ahead to 2027, MLB continues to attract a strong fan base, with average game attendance expected to remain consistent, hovering around 29,000 spectators per game. The league actively works to enhance the fan experience.
Is Major League Baseball Opening Day a national holiday?
Despite its cultural significance and widespread popularity, MLB Opening Day remains an unofficial holiday in 2027. Its unofficial status doesn’t diminish the excitement, with many businesses and individuals finding ways to celebrate.
Major League Baseball Opening Day Activities
Go to a game, of course
If there’s a ballpark in your town hosting a game, go! There's nothing like the excitement of Opening Day, and it has to be experienced to be believed. No stadium? No problem. Make a date with your TV and watch your favorite team, or better yet, head to a favorite sports bar to enjoy the camaraderie.
Wear a hat
Each year MLB encourages baseball fans to wear their team’s hat on Opening Day, regardless of whether they can make it to a game or not. So wear your favorite hat and show your team pride!
Cook up some hot dogs
Make it a true party and eat like you’re there. Boil some hot dogs, steam the buns, grab a cold beer and snack on peanuts. Don't forget the fixin's: yellow mustard, ketchup, relish and onions.
Take the Cracker Jack Prize Quiz
5 Facts About Cracker Jacks That Will Blow Your Mind
They date back to 1872
Frederick Rueckheim began selling popcorn from a cart in Chicago in 1872. He and his brother, immigrants from Germany, tinkered with the popcorn to make it stand out. The came up with Cracker Jacks, a hit at the 1893 World’s Fair.
The packaging sealed the deal
They were one of the first companies to use wax-sealed cardboard containers, allowing them to distribute their product all over the country.
Coupons, not prizes were first found inside
Today we love those prizes inside, but when Cracker Jacks first started out, they put coupons in the boxes. These coupons could be collected and redeemed for a variety of goods (like jewelry and housewares).
Cracker Jack baseball cards are worth a pretty penny
In 1914 and 1915, Cracker Jack offered sets of baseball cards. Have one? Today a set of those cards are worth as much as a hundred grand, with individual cards worth as much as $40,000.
While the Cracker Jack name was registered in 1896, the mascots weren’t introduced until 1916.
The boy on the box is Sailor Jack, and with him is his dog, Bingo. Sailor Jack is modeled after Frederick’s grandson.
Why We Love Major League Baseball Opening Day
The Met's in 1969
One of baseball's all-time great comeback stories took place exactly 50 years ago as the "miracle" New York Mets shook off seven terrible years to win the 1969 World Series.
It's practically a national holiday
In 2014 Budweiser, and Ozzie Smith, started a petition to get MLB Opening Day recognized as a national holiday. It didn’t work, but we agree. Why shouldn’t we all have the day off to enjoy America’s favorite pastime?
The pageantry is intoxicating
While every baseball city seems to have its own special way to celebrate Opening Day, Cincinnati’s parade dates back the furthest. The Findlay Market Parade has been held annually since 1920.
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