Don’t miss a single inning. The 2026 MLB season kicks off with high expectations. The calendar begins on March 25 with an attractive clash between the Yankees and the Giants. A day later, the traditional Opening Day takes place with the rest of the teams. The regular season will run until the end of September, with the classic 162 games per franchise.
Where to watch the start of the 2026 MLB season?
National coverage will be spread across multiple networks, forcing fans to combine several options.
Main broadcasts:
- ESPN / ABC: Around 30 exclusive games
- Fox / FS1: More than 80 games, including Saturday night games
- TBS: weekly games and playoffs
- MLB Network: Games throughout the season
Exclusive streaming and special events
- Apple TV+: Stream “Friday Night Baseball” without regional blackouts
- Peacock (NBC): new home of Sunday Night Baseball
- Netflix: will have exclusive events such as Opening Day and the Home Run Derby
- MLB.TV: the most complete option
For those who don’t want to miss a game, MLB.TV remains the primary tool. This service allows you to watch all games outside of your local market.
It will also be available within the ESPN app, making it easy to access from a single platform.
What’s included?
- Out-of-market games
- Access to MLB Network
- Additional content such as replays and analysis
- Local broadcasts and the challenge of blackouts
This is where many fans get confused. Home games are broadcast via regional networks (RSNs), which only work in certain areas.
If you live in the same city as your favorite team, you will need access to their local channel or a TV service that includes it.
- Key difference: in-market vs out-of-market
- In-market: local games available on RSN
- Out-of-market: available on MLB.TV
This system may seem complicated, but it is essential to understand how to follow your team.
Opening Day games and where to watch them
March 25:
- Yankees vs Giants | 8:05 PM ET (Netflix)
March 26:
- Pirates vs Mets | 1:00 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
- Diamondbacks vs Dodgers | 8:00 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
- Angels vs Astros | 4:10 PM ET (MLB.TV)
- Twins vs Yankees | 1:05 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
- Cardinals vs Cubs | 2:20 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
- Phillies vs Royals | 4:05 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
- Tigers vs Rangers | 4:10 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
- Blue Jays vs Mariners | 4:10 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
- Red Sox vs Angels | 9:38 PM ET (RSN / MLB.TV)
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