Independence Day
Independence Day is a day to spend with family and friends, and for many people that means taking a look at the sporting action on offer.
Independence Day 2025 marks 249 years of the United States of America, one year away from the big quarter-millennium celebrations expected next year.
The 4th of July holiday will be marked in different ways by different people. But with the summer season in full swing, many will be hoping to use the holiday to take in some sport with friends and family.
Independence Day does not have the variety of sporting spectacle to compete with Thanksgiving later in the year, but there are plenty of options for those looking for their sporting fix this Friday.
MLB Fourth of July Schedule Part of Plans to ‘Own’ Holiday Weekend
For the third straight year, all 30 MLB teams will play on Independence Day, Thursday, July 4. ⬇️https://t.co/lpNJ2WGIFG
— Diane Staffan (@DianeStaffan) July 3, 2025
MLB schedule for Independence Day
For the third year in a row, all 30 MLB teams will be playing a game on July 4 as part of a concerted effort to claim the holiday for the game of baseball. The highlights includes the beginning of a New York crosstown series between the Yankees and the Mets, and a revival of the San Francisco Giants – Athletics rivalry.
- Washington Nationals – Boston Red Sox (11:05 AM)
- Philadelphia Phillies – Cincinnati Reds (1:05 PM)
- Chicago Cubs – St. Louis Cardinals (2:20 PM)
- New York Mets – New York Yankees (3:10 PM)
- Seattle Mariners – Pittsburgh Pirates (4:10 PM)
- Minnesota Twins – Tampa Bay Rays (4:10 PM)
- San Diego Padres – Texas Rangers (6:40 PM)
- Toronto Blue Jays – Los Angeles Angels (7:07 PM)
- Cleveland Guardians – Detroit Tigers (7:10 PM)
- Milwaukee Brewers – Miami Marlins (7:10 PM)
- Atlanta Braves – Baltimore Orioles (7:15 PM)
- Colorado Rockies – Chicago White Sox (8:10 PM)
- Los Angeles Dodgers – Houston Astros (9:10 PM)
- Arizona D-backs – Kansas City Royals (9:40 PM)
- San Francisco Giants – Oakland Athletics (10:05 PM)
“There’s an opportunity there for baseball to own that day, like Christmas for some other sports,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “You’re going to see continued efforts to kind of own that day.”
Other sports on July 4, 2025
The baseball action dominates the schedule this year but there are other options on offer. In golf, both the BMW International Open and the PGA Tour John Deere Classic will get underway early in the morning and will continue through the weekend.
The tennis action continues with the third round at Wimbledon. Among the biggest names on show are Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka.
Soccer fans have options with three MLS games on the schedule: FC Dallas – Minnesota United (8:45PM), Colorado Rapids – Sporting Kansas City (9:30PM) and LA Galaxy – Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30PM). There is also the UEFA Women’s European Championships, with two games on offer on Friday: Denmark – Sweden (12:00PM) and Germany – Poland (3:00PM)
If we were to loosen the definition of ‘sport’, there is also the world-famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the less athletically inclined. The Independence Day stable is now over 50 years old and this year’s edition will see the return of Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion who missed the 2024 competition due to a disagreement with Major League Eating over a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
