The cold winter months have turned to sunny spring days, with summer just around the corner. And that means more than just warmer weather: a new Major League Baseball (MLB) season is here.
The 2026 MLB season is underway. And, with baseball viewership on the rise, now is a great time for businesses to step up to the plate with a winning sports TV package. Whether you own a bar, restaurant or a business with a waiting room, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS® can help you knock it out of the park with MLB EXTRA INNINGS® and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 MLB season, and how DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS can help turn every game into a ballpark-like experience for your customers.
How to Watch MLB on DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS puts viewers right behind the plate for all the MLB action, whether it’s an afternoon matinee or primetime matchup between rivals.
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With MLB EXTRA INNINGS (Ch. 720–749), your customers can watch up to 90 live games a week during the regular season, with 99% of them available in HD, plus MLB Network Strike Zone™ (Ch. 719) and MLB Network HD (Ch. 213). MLB EXTRA INNINGS also offers the MLB Game Mix, showing up to eight games at the same time (Ch. 720-721).
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Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV shows two games every Friday night, plus pre- and post-game coverage.
- Yankees on Prime offers access to additional Yankees games not available through local programming (available in the Yankees’ home broadcast area only).
So, whether your customers are looking to cheer on their favorite team or catch parts of several games at once, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS has a pitch for everyone.
Don’t have DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS yet? Getting started is easy!
Why Showing MLB Can be a Hit For Your Business
When it comes to MLB, some of the most important stats for your business won’t be found on the back of a baseball card. MLB is heading into the new season riding off the momentum of one of the best seasons both on the field and when it comes to attendance and TV viewership.
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A World Series for the ages: Game 7 of the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays averaged 51 million viewers combined across the United States, Canada and Japan, making it the most-watched MLB game in 34 years and one of the highest-viewed baseball games of all time.
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More fans in seats: According to MLB, the 2025 season also saw its regular-season attendance reach 71.4 million, its third consecutive season of attendance growth.
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Powered up viewership: According to MLB, several national platforms saw double-digit increases in viewership, with ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball game coverage seeing a +21% increase over 2024, averaging 1.8 million viewers, and TBS seeing a +29% increase over 2024 with an average of 462,000 per game. Local broadcasts got in on the action too, with regional sports networks seeing +2% increase in viewership.
Put simply, MLB is putting up some hall of fame-level numbers when it comes to eyes on the field. So, if your business is showing the games, the fans will come in droves.
From Opening Day to Game 162: The 2026 MLB Calendar
The 2026 MLB season began on March 25 and ends on September 27, with each of the 30 teams playing 162 games. That means six months of showing every hit, home run, strikeout and double play at your business.
MLB’s regular season is more of a marathon than a sprint. (Until the playoffs, at least.) Meaning there are key games and big moments to plan around all season long.
- MLB World Tour Mexico City Series: The Arizona Diamondbacks face the San Diego Padres, April 25-26, at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú Béisbol in Mexico City.
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Rivalry Weekend: From the Yankees/Mets to the Cardinals/Royals, some of MLB’s top regional rivalries write new chapters during Rivalry Weekend, May 15-17.
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Midsummer Classic: The 96th annual All-Star Game will be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14.
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MLB at Field of Dreams: On August 13, the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies play in Dyersville, Iowa, on the iconic cornfield baseball diamond from the movie Field of Dreams.
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Game 162: The final day of the regular season is on Sunday, September 27. To add to the playoff-race drama, all games start between 3:05 p.m. ET and 3:20 p.m. ET.
A Triple Play to Make Your Business the Top Spot for a Ballgame
Here are a few things you can do to entertain baseball-loving fans at your business.
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Host Game-Day Watch Parties: Host special events for big games like Opening Day, home team games, playoff and World Series games. And bring the ballpark to your business by offering baseball-themed food and drink specials, from hotdogs and cold beer to ice cream and Cracker Jack. Well-timed happy hour pricing during games gives fans another reason to stick around for all nine innings.
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Give Fans a Front Row Seat: With smart placement of high-quality screens and a strong lineup of games through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, fans will never miss an at-bat and, as a result, stay at your business longer. Even if the game goes to extra innings.
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Promote Your Business as THE Baseball Destination: Use email, social and in-venue signage to remind your customers and their fellow fans that baseball will be playing on your screens every day, all season long. Through the DIRECTV MVP Marketing Program, order gameday-ready signage, coasters and other in-venue materials that makes it clear your business is the place to watch.
Never Miss a Game
With 30 teams playing 162 games each, it can be a lot to keep up with. The DIRECTV sports schedule keeps you dialed in with all games from opening day to game 162 to the World Series, making it easier to plan staffing, promotions and screen setups in advance.
Hit a Home Run With DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS puts you in the manager’s seat for the entire MLB season with a reliable viewing experience designed for live sports entertainment. Enjoy:
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99% signal reliability
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Complimentary standard professional installation
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Dedicated customer support
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Access to Sports Bar Finder to help baseball fans (and potential new customers) discover your location
DIRECTV is a leader in sports and delivers a one-stop shop for live programming across MLS, Formula 1, NBA, NHL and more, all through a single streamlined system built for business. Call 888.303.9117 to explore DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS packages for your business this MLB season.
Don’t miss a pitch this season. Explore DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS packages today.
