The 2025 MLB season began with a ten-game slate on Thursday, capturing significant viewership on ESPN. The first game, featuring a matchup between the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, marked Joe Buck’s one-off return to national baseball broadcasting. This broadcast achieved the largest National Opening Day audience since 2018, drawing an average of 1.93 million viewers, according to an ESPN press release.
Later that day, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers took to the field for their season opener on American soil, with ESPN’s broadcast attracting an average of 1.74 million viewers. This represents a 10 percent increase in year-over-year viewership compared to the 2024 matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.
ESPN delivers big audiences for MLB #OpeningDay 2025!
⚾ #ThisIsMyCrew vs #RepBX: Most-watched national Opening Day game in 7 years (1.93M avg., 2.23M peak)
⚾ #RepDetroit vs #LetsGoDodgers: Up 10% from last year’s comparable game (1.74M avg., 2.20M peak)
More:… pic.twitter.com/w1E9KNWbPQ
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 28, 2025
This could potentially be the last year of Opening Day coverage on ESPN, as the network has exercised its opt-out option from its media rights deal with MLB. Without a new agreement, 2025 will mark the final year of live MLB broadcasts on the network. Despite ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro expressing openness to reengaging for a new deal, the gap between the two sides seems larger than ever, with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred voicing concerns about their relationship in recent years.
If there remains any hope for a new agreement, the rise in viewership on Opening Day should bolster discussions about a long-term partnership. If this ultimately marks the end of MLB coverage on ESPN, at least it is a positive note on which to conclude.
