MLB teams and divisions
How many MLB teams are there? All 30 teams by league and division
Major League Baseball has 30 teams. Fifteen play in the American League and 15 play in the National League. Each league has East, Central, and West divisions with five teams apiece. Twenty-nine clubs are based in the United States, and the Toronto Blue Jays are based in Canada.
Sources and resources
- Official 2026 MLB division standings — MLB's current American League and National League East, Central, and West divisions.
- Official MLB expansion-era history — MLB's history of expansion to 30 teams and the later move to 15 clubs in each league.
- Official MLB balanced-schedule explainer — MLB's explanation of the schedule in which every club faces all 29 other teams.
All 30 MLB teams by league and division
MLB has 15 American League teams and 15 National League teams. Each league has East, Central, and West divisions with five clubs apiece.
How many MLB teams are there?
Major League Baseball has 30 active teams. The American League has 15 clubs, and the National League has 15.
The two league champions meet in the World Series. During the regular season, the balanced schedule gives every team at least one series against each of the other 29 clubs.
- 30 MLB teams in total.
- 15 American League teams.
- 15 National League teams.
How MLB's six divisions work
Each league has East, Central, and West divisions. Five teams belong to each division, creating six groups across MLB.
Division finish still matters even though every club now plays all 29 opponents. The three division winners in each league qualify for the postseason and receive the league's top three seeds.
- AL East, AL Central, and AL West.
- NL East, NL Central, and NL West.
- Five teams in every division.
How many MLB teams are in the United States and Canada?
Twenty-nine MLB clubs are based in the United States. The Toronto Blue Jays are the league's only Canadian team.
The Athletics currently use Sutter Health Park as their home ballpark while their planned Las Vegas park is developed. Their official club name is simply the Athletics.
When did MLB reach 30 teams?
MLB reached its current total in 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays began play. Tampa Bay later shortened its name to the Rays.
The league alignment has changed since then. Houston moved from the National League to the American League in 2013, producing the current 15-team balance in each league.
Do MLB teams play every other team?
Yes. Since the balanced schedule began in 2023, each club faces all 29 other teams during the regular season.
Division opponents still meet more often than teams outside the division. That preserves division races while giving fans regular chances to see every club and stars from the other league.
Keep track of the teams you have seen
A list of 30 teams becomes personal when you mark the clubs you have watched in person, the parks where you saw them, and the result of each game.
Log a completed game in Gamebook with both teams, the final score, ballpark, section, row, seat, players, home runs, companions, photos, and memory. Gamebook then builds your team records, ballpark passport, and lifetime baseball history.
Common questions
How many MLB teams are there?
MLB has 30 teams: 15 in the American League and 15 in the National League.
How many divisions are in MLB?
MLB has six divisions. The American League and National League each have East, Central, and West divisions.
How many teams are in each MLB division?
Five teams play in each of MLB's six divisions.
How many American League teams are there?
The American League has 15 teams, split evenly across the AL East, AL Central, and AL West.
How many National League teams are there?
The National League has 15 teams, split evenly across the NL East, NL Central, and NL West.
How many MLB teams are in Canada?
One. The Toronto Blue Jays are MLB's only Canadian team; the other 29 clubs are based in the United States.
When did MLB expand to 30 teams?
MLB reached 30 teams in 1998 when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays began play.
Does every MLB team play every other team?
Yes. Under the balanced schedule, every MLB club faces all 29 other teams during the regular season.
How can I track the MLB teams I have seen?
Log each completed game in Gamebook with both teams, the score, ballpark, seat, players, home runs, companions, photos, and memory.