Tracking the Los Angeles Dodgers schedule requires looking past basic date lists to understand game times, broadcast networks, home-stand stretches, and ticket logistics. Whether you're planning a trip to Dodger Stadium or mapping out your television viewing, knowing how to break down the Major League Baseball calendar keeps you prepared for every matchup.
The regular season runs from late March through late September, followed by the postseason in October. Catching every game live means navigating regional broadcasts, national TV slots, and varying time zones for West Coast, Central, and Eastern matchups.
Finding Official Game Dates and Start Times
Official game times are locked in months before Opening Day, but broadcast selections can shift game slots mid-season. Checking the master schedule on the Official MLB Dodgers Schedule ensures you have the most accurate, up-to-date timings.
Most home games at Dodger Stadium start at 7:10 PM Pacific Time for night games, while afternoon games typically begin at 1:10 PM or 4:10 PM depending on the opponent and travel days. Road games adjust to the local time zone of the host ballpark, which often catches fans off guard when tracking east coast series against teams like the New York Yankees or Atlanta Braves.
Key Stretches on the Calendar
A complete season breakdown involves identifying critical blocks of games that define the pennant race in the National League West.
- Opening Series: The season kicks off in late March, featuring high-profile home stands at Dodger Stadium against division rivals like the Arizona Diamondbacks or San Francisco Giants.
- Interleague Play: Series against American League opponents alternate yearly between home and away venues, creating unique weekend matchups.
- Summer Road Trips: Extended trips through the Midwest and East Coast test the team's depth and force fans to adapt to early evening start times.
- Division Clashes: September features heavy series concentrations against NL West opponents, which frequently decide playoff seeding.
Television, Streaming, and Radio Broadcast Channels
Watching games live depends on your location and subscription services. Local broadcasts in the Los Angeles region air primarily through SportsNet LA. Fans outside the local market rely on MLB.TV out-of-market packages.
National broadcasts alter standard viewing channels. Games selected for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, Fox, FS1, or exclusive streaming platforms like Apple TV+ and Roku require specific subscriptions or cable packages. Radio broadcasts are available locally on KLAC AM 570 in English and KTNQ 1020 AM in Spanish.
Ticketing and Ballpark Logistics
Securing seats for high-demand games involves planning ahead, particularly for weekend series, rivalry games, and promotional giveaway nights.
- Verify the Date: Confirm whether a game is a night or day fixture before purchasing parking passes.
- Review Promotional Calendars: Bobblehead nights and jersey giveaways drive massive crowds and sell out weeks in advance.
- Understand Digital Ticketing: The Dodgers use mobile-only entry via the MLB Ballpark app, requiring fans to load tickets onto their smartphones before arriving at the turnstiles.
- Plan Transit: Traffic around Chavez Ravine is heavy; utilizing the Dodger Stadium Express shuttle from Union Station cuts down on driving stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find printable PDF versions of the schedule?
The official MLB team site provides downloadable and syncable calendar files that automatically update on your phone or desktop calendar app if game times change.
How do makeup games affect the schedule?
Rainouts are rare in Los Angeles, but road games postponed due to weather are typically made up during a mutual off-day or as part of a scheduled double-header.
When do single-game tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the upcoming season usually become available to the general public in winter, following presales for season ticket holders and promotional package buyers.
Are game times subject to change after the schedule is released?
Yes. Major League Baseball flexes select games into national television windows late in the season, which changes standard 7:10 PM starts to afternoon or prime-time slots.
