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MLB Proposes 154-Game Season, Best-of-7 Division Series in 2029
Major League Baseball proposed reducing the regular season to 154 games starting in 2029, expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven, and allowing top-seeded teams to choose playoff opponents during Thursday's negotiations with the Players Association. The union noted all proposals are contingent on accepting a salary cap, which it has rejected.
Quick Facts
- MLB proposed shortening regular season from 162 to 154 games
- MLB proposed expanding Division Series to best-of-seven format
- MLB proposed allowing higher-seeded teams to select playoff opponents
- MLB proposed making Monday a standard off-day for most teams
- MLBPA reviewing proposals
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Major League Baseball proposed significant changes to its regular season and postseason format on Thursday as part of ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the MLB Players Association. The proposal would shorten the regular season from 162 to 154 games beginning in 2029, expand the Division Series from best-of-five to best-of-seven, and allow higher-seeded teams to select their opponents in the first two playoff rounds.
Under the plan, the No. 3 seed in each league would choose whether to face the No. 5 or 6 seed in the Wild Card round immediately after the regular season concludes. The No. 1 seed would then select which Wild Card winner to play in the Division Series following that round. MLB spokesman Glen Caplin stated the changes aim to improve player health through weekly off-days, create a new national broadcast window, and enhance the postseason experience by reducing weekday afternoon games and providing more opportunities to showcase top pitchers.
The 154-game schedule would include a scheduled Monday off-day for most teams, except for one or two nationally broadcast games, with teams playing on Monday receiving a Thursday off-day instead. The regular season would end one week earlier than the current 162-game format. MLB stated that player salaries would not be reduced despite the shorter schedule, though bonus thresholds and similar provisions would be adjusted proportionally. The 2029 start date aligns with MLB's next national media agreements. Each team would play four split doubleheaders during the regular season, and the Division Series would be played over 11 days instead of nine, with additional off-days before Games 5 and 7.
The MLB Players Association indicated it is reviewing the proposals but emphasized that any structural changes are "contingent on players' agreement to a salary cap," which the union has consistently opposed. The union stated that "all of its proposals are contingent on players' agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals." The current five-year collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, with labor negotiations continuing over economic terms and structural changes.
Why This Matters
The proposal affects 750+ MLB players and fundamentally alters regular season structure and playoff scheduling starting 2029. Shortening the season by eight games reduces annual player compensation exposure (despite MLB's stated intention to maintain base salaries), shifts broadcast windows to align with new national media deals, and compresses the postseason schedule. The salary cap contingency creates a blocking condition: players have consistently rejected caps, making actual implementation dependent on a significant shift in union negotiating position before the December 1 CBA expiration. Playoff format changes (opponent selection, best-of-seven) alter competitive incentives and revenue distribution among teams.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1961
WireAmerican League expanded to 10 teams and switched to 162-game schedule
Jan 1, 1962
WireNational League switched to 162-game schedule
Dec 1, 2026
WireCurrent five-year collective bargaining agreement expires
Jan 1, 2029
WireProposed implementation of 154-game schedule and new playoff format; coincides with new national media agreements
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Sources
- Mlb Shortened Season Expanded Playoffs Labor 6e6a09937388ea6be90386c408b716a1apWireOct 8, 2026
- Mlb Temporada Corta Reunion 8498aef32385293fbf928e0975e3f6e0apWireOct 8, 2026
- MLB proposes 154-game schedule, new playoff featuresMLB.comMediaOct 9, 2026
- MLB proposes shorter regular season, best-of-7 division seriesESPNMediaOct 9, 2026