As we recognize the Best Of 2024 in this issue, we also start to look ahead to 2025. While not all schedules are finalized, we do know when and where some local teams and athletes are competing and which major international events are back in the area. With that in mind, here’s a look at what’s ahead with The 15 “2025 Sports Highlights.” (Events grouped together where relevant.)
Baseball
Perhaps no single sporting event in 2025 is more anticipated in Baltimore than the arrival of the world famous Savannah Bananas in August. “Banana Ball” invades Oriole Park at Camden Yards for games on Aug. 1-2, bringing a wildly entertaining style of the sport to Charm City.
Additionally, Maryland baseball plays their home opener on Feb. 18 against Delaware. The Terps’ home schedule includes their first-ever Big Ten series against UCLA (March 7-9) and home games against UMBC (April 1) and Towson (April 22).
Boxing
Nine months after a knockout win against Frank Martin, Baltimore’s Gervonta “Tank” Davis is slated to return to the ring on March 1 in Brooklyn. He will put his 30-0 pro record on the line against Lamont Roach Jr. (25-1-1) in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card.
College Basketball
Some of the marquee college basketball games in the region include the following (men’s unless otherwise noted):
Jan. 8: USC at Maryland (women)
Jan. 10: UCLA at Maryland
Jan. 11: Navy at Loyola
Jan. 25: Coppin State at Morgan State
Jan. 26: UCLA at Maryland (women)
Jan. 29: Wisconsin at Maryland
Feb. 9: Rutgers at Maryland
Feb. 13: Delaware at Towson
Feb. 25-March 1: CIAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament in Baltimore
Feb. 26: Michigan State at Maryland
March 1: Vermont at UMBC, Loyola at Navy
March 6: Morgan State at Coppin State
College Football
For the first time in nine years, the Army-Navy Game returns to M&T Bank Stadium in 2025. The 126th edition of the rivalry will unfold in Baltimore on Dec. 13. Air Force comes to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for that leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series on Oct. 4. Maryland hosts Towson on Sept. 13, while Big Ten foes Indiana (Nov. 1) and Michigan (Nov. 22) will visit SECU Stadium as well. The Terps will also play their first-ever game at the Rose Bowl when they travel to UCLA (Oct. 18). Morgan State hosts Towson for their annual rivalry game on Sept. 6.
Golf
Maryland is set to be the center of the golf universe in 2025:
April 18-20: Big Ten Women’s Golf Championships at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace
April 25-27: Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships at Baltimore Country Club
May 22-25: Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club in Potomac
Aug. 14-17: BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills
High School Sports
Two of the top boys’ basketball teams in the area are again Saint Frances and Mount Saint Joseph. The Panthers are led by junior point guard Jasiah Cannady, who holds offers from Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Kansas State, among others. The Gaels are led by Towson commit and senior center Brandon Holmes. It would be worth checking out their games on Jan. 6 (at MSJ) and Feb. 3 (at SFA). Speaking of Saint Frances, Maryland fans will likely have a bit more interest in the Panthers’ football schedule in 2025 after five-star edge rush prospect Zion Elee pledged to join the Class of 2026. Additionally, the annual high school All-America Lacrosse games are set for July 25-27 (location TBA).
Lacrosse
Key dates for the local college lacrosse season include the following (men’s unless otherwise noted):
Feb. 8: Maryland at Loyola
Feb. 15: Johns Hopkins at Loyola
Feb. 18: Johns Hopkins at Loyola (women)
Feb. 22: North Carolina at Johns Hopkins
March 1: Virginia at Johns Hopkins
March 19: Syracuse at Loyola (women)
April 8: Loyola at Towson
April 19: Johns Hopkins at Maryland
April 23-27: Big Ten tournament at Maryland (women)
May 18: Two NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in Annapolis
And since we’re on the topic of lacrosse, the PLL will return for another Maryland Whipsnakes “Homecoming Weekend” this summer. The “Maryland Charm” of the new Women’s Lacrosse League will make their debut at the 2025 Championship Series.
Maryland Cycling Classic
After a one-year pause, the Maryland Cycling Classic returns in 2025. There are two significant changes to the 2025 event. The race will run on Sept. 6, the Saturday following Labor Day. The MCC will also debut a women’s race.
Maryland 5 Star
The Maryland 5 Star returns to Fair Hill in Cecil County from Oct. 16-19. This year’s event will mark the first for new course designer Pierre le Goupil, who was the lead designer for the Paris Olympics.
Orioles
The Orioles open the 2025 season on the road in Toronto on March 27. Key home dates include:
March 31: Red Sox at Orioles (home opener)
April 20: Reds at Orioles (Easter)
May 26: Cardinals at Orioles (Memorial Day)
June 15: Angels at Orioles (Father’s Day)
July 8-10: Mets at Orioles
Sept. 5-7: Dodgers at Orioles
Fun road trips might include the Diamondbacks (April 7-9), Braves (July 4-6), Cubs (Aug. 1-3), Giants (Aug. 29-31) or Padres (Sept.1-3).
Preakness 150
Before the second jewel of the Triple Crown makes a brief shift to Laurel Park to allow for the reconstruction of Pimlico Race Course, the venerable facility will host the 150th edition of the race on May 17. Adding to the significance of the race will be the first-ever Preakness Festival, a celebration of the event throughout the city and state. This will be the first running of the Preakness under the umbrella of the newly formed Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA).
Ravens
The Ravens wrap up the 2024 season with a home game against the Browns on Jan. 5, and we’ll see what happens after that. (The Super Bowl is on Feb. 9 in New Orleans, for what it’s worth.) A visit from the Lions highlights the 2025 home slate, while trips to Buffalo, Miami, Green Bay and Minnesota are all on the docket as well.
Running
The Baltimore Running Festival — highlighted by the Baltimore Marathon — is back downtown on Oct. 18. Other running events include the Annapolis Running Festival (March 22), Frederick Running Festival (May 3), Baltimore 10 Miler (June 7), the Ocean City Marathon (Nov. 1) and Bay Bridge Run (Nov. 9).
Soccer
The Baltimore Blast’s schedule at TU Arena continues through March, highlighted by a home game against the rival Harrisburg Heat on March 2. The United Soccer League’s Annapolis Blues will return for a third pro season and this year they add a women’s team, which will compete in the USL W. A significant club friendly is expected to be held at M&T Bank Stadium again this summer.
Track & Field
Navy’s Wesley A. Brown Field House will be the host site for the Patriot League Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships from March 1-2.
Photo Credit: Maryland Cycling Classic/Veloimages
Issue 290: December 2024 / January 2025
Originally published Dec. 18, 2024.