What Date Does the Baltimore Orioles Season Start?

The Baltimore Orioles' opening day typically falls in late March or early April, aligned with Major League Baseball's official season start. The exact date shifts annually based on MLB's schedule. For the current season, check the Orioles' official website or MLB.com, which publish the full schedule in November of the preceding year. Games are played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore.

How Opening Day Works in Baltimore

The Orioles, as an American League East team, follow MLB's uniform schedule. Opening Day is not a fixed calendar date; instead, MLB designates it as the first day all 30 teams play regular season games. This typically occurs in late March, though it has occurred as late as early April in recent years due to labor disputes or weather delays. The 2024 season opened March 28; the 2025 season opens March 27. These dates are set roughly 18 months in advance.

Home games occur at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, located at 333 West Camden Street in the Inner Harbor district. The stadium holds approximately 45,000 fans. Tickets can be purchased through the Orioles' official ticketing site, StubHub, or Ticketmaster. Prices for opening day games are typically higher than regular season games, ranging from $40 to $200 or more depending on seat location, though exact pricing varies by year and opponent.

Planning Your Attendance

Ticket Purchasing: Opening day tickets sell quickly. Season ticket holders and members of the Orioles' loyalty program get early access, usually 48 to 72 hours before general public sales. If you want to attend, register for general public ticket sales on the Orioles' official website. Set your alarm; opening day seats often sell out within hours.

Parking: Camden Yards sits in an urban area with limited free street parking. Several paid lots surround the stadium, costing $15 to $25 depending on distance and lot operator. Many attendees use the Light Rail, which stops at Camden Station directly adjacent to the stadium. A round-trip fare costs $4.00 (as of 2024; verify current pricing with the Maryland Transit Administration). Parking is often faster than transit on game day, but transit avoids the post-game traffic surge on Washington Boulevard.

Gates and Entry: Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before game time. The stadium has multiple entry gates along Conway Street and Pratt Street. Security screening is standard; bags are permitted but subject to size restrictions (generally 16x16 inches or smaller). Prohibited items include weapons, outside alcohol, and large thermoses.

Food and Amenities: The stadium offers standard concession food (hot dogs, pizza, nachos) at ballpark pricing ($14 to $18 per item). Bring cash or a card; most vendors accept both. Restroom lines peak during pre-game hours and between innings; plan accordingly. The stadium has WiFi throughout, though connection is spotty during heavy attendance periods like opening day.

Weather and Game Delays

Late March baseball in Baltimore carries weather risk. Average temperatures for late March range from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain postponements occasionally push opening day to the following day. If a game is postponed, the Orioles' website and MLB.com announce reschedules within hours. Tickets are typically valid for the rescheduled date, though policies vary; check your ticket confirmation email for specifics.

Viewing Without Attending

If you cannot attend in person, opening day is broadcast on MLB.tv (subscription required), local Baltimore television (MASN, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network), and occasionally on ESPN or national broadcasts. Check the Orioles' schedule page in late March to confirm the broadcast outlet for that year's opening day.

Related Questions

When do the Baltimore Orioles play their first home game if opening day is on the road? If MLB's opening day schedule assigns the Orioles to play away, their first Camden Yards home game occurs within the following week, typically no more than three to five days after opening day.

Are there special opening day events at Oriole Park besides the game? The Orioles often hold pre-game ceremonies on opening day, including player introductions and the national anthem, though the specific program varies by year; the team announces opening day events on its website by mid-March.