Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed a series of changes to the sport's structure on Thursday, October 8, 2026, including shortening the regular season from 162 to 154 games and expanding the Division Series to a best-of-seven format. The league presented these plans to the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) as part of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The changes to the regular-season length would take effect in 2029 to align with new national media contracts.
The proposal comes as the current five-year labor contract is set to expire on December 1. While the league suggested the 154-game schedule would improve player health and create new broadcasting opportunities, the MLBPA noted that the offer is contingent on the union accepting a salary cap. The union has stated it will never accept a salary cap, describing it as a system that reduces player rights and compensation.
Under the plan, MLB would implement a standard weekly off day on Mondays for most teams beginning in 2029, except for teams featured in up to two national broadcasts. To accommodate the shorter season, teams would be scheduled for four day-night doubleheaders against division rivals. MLB stated that annual salaries would not be reduced despite the decrease in games, though bonuses and similar performance provisions would be adjusted proportionally.
The postseason changes include a "pick your opponent" format. The No. 3 seed in each league would choose to play either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the best-of-three Wild Card Series. In the expanded best-of-seven Division Series, the No. 1 seed would select which wild-card winner to face. The league also proposed adding nine off days to the postseason, extending it to a maximum of 42 days, which MLB officials said would allow top starting pitchers to appear more frequently.
The proposal affects all 30 Major League clubs and their players. If the 154-game schedule is adopted, it would mark the first time since 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League that the standard season length was reduced. The shift would directly change the schedule for players by introducing a nearly universal Monday off day, intended to reduce travel fatigue. However, the reduction of eight games per season would change the context of season-long statistical records and career totals.
The financial scale of the proposal is tied to the league's insistence on a salary cap, a mechanism used in other professional sports to limit total team spending on player payrolls. The union argues it would gut player compensation. Conversely, the league believes a cap and a shorter season with more postseason games would maximize revenue from national media deals. The shift to more best-of-seven playoff series would increase the total number of high-stakes games available for television networks to broadcast.
The negotiations face a deadline as the current labor agreement expires in December. If the sides do not reach an agreement, management is expected to lock out the players, a move that could jeopardize the 2027 season. While the regular-season changes are not slated until 2029, the league proposed starting the "pick your opponent" format as early as next year. Further meetings between the league and the union are expected.