The 2025 Kansas City Royals finished just above average at 82-80, placing them third in the AL Central and out of the AL playoffs.
It was a bit of a letdown for a team fresh off an AL Division Series appearance and seemingly trending in the right direction with young stars. But 2026 is a new year, and this team still has those young stars who are eager to get rid of the bitter taste of defeat.
Check out the 2026 Kansas City Royals TV schedule and watch their quest to play October baseball.
Kansas City Royals Team Info:
Founding Season: 1973
Division: American League Central
Home Ball Park: Kauffman Stadium
World Series Titles: 2 (1985, 2015)
2025 Finish: Missed playoffs
Make sure you have DIRECTV to watch your favorite MLB team for 2026!
How Did the Kansas City Royals Do in 2025?
On paper, Kansas City’s 2025 season was right down the middle. They finished just above .500 at 82-80, good for third in the AL Central.
Over 162 games, the Royals outscored opponents by just 14 runs. Their average win was 4.01-3.93 — right down the middle.
But the season didn’t lack excitement. It was another All-Star and MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr., who led the league in hits for the second straight year and added doubles this year, too. It was his fourth consecutive season with 20-plus home runs and 30-plus stolen bases. Simply put, he’s amazing.
Joining him on the All-Star team was Maikel Garcia. They each won Gold Gloves on the left side and in his third full season, Garcia broke out. He set career highs in hits (170), doubles (39), home runs (16), RBIs (74), batting average, on-base percentage and OPS.
Salvador Perez hit 30 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs. Vinnie Pasquantino hit 32 home runs with 33 doubles and 113 RBIs. But beyond those four, there was little production and ultimately that was Kansas City’s undoing. Jonathan India didn’t provide the offense they hoped he would. Kyle Isbel led the league in sacrifice hits, though!
Overall their pitching staff was one of the league’s best. Noah Cameron and Kris Bubic each had solid seasons on the mound. Cameron went 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts, good for fourth place in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Bubic went 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts and earned his first All-Star appearance. For Cole Ragans, who battled injuries all season, it was one to write off.
Adding offensive firepower was the offseason game plan, and, as we’ll see, the front office took some good-looking swings.
Kansas City Royals 2026 Schedule
In a competitive AL playoff push, Kansas City has every chance to be right in the thick of it. Here’s their full early-season schedule.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | TV |
| Fri, 3/27 | @ Atlanta Braves | 7:15 p.m. | |
| Sat, 3/28 | @ Atlanta Braves | 7:15 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, 3/29 | @ Atlanta Braves | 1:35 p.m. | |
| Mon, 3/30 | vs Minnesota Twins | 4:10 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/1 | vs Minnesota Twins | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/2 | vs Minnesota Twins | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/3 | vs Milwaukee Brewers | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/4 | vs Milwaukee Brewers | 4:10 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun, 4/5 | vs Milwaukee Brewers | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Mon, 4/6 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Tue, 4/7 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/9 | vs Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/10 | vs Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/11 | vs Chicago White Sox | 4:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/12 | vs Chicago White Sox | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Tue, 4/14 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/15 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/16 | @ Detroit Tigers | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/17 | @ New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/18 | @ New York Yankees | 1:35 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/19 | @ New York Yankees | 1:35 p.m. | |
| Mon, 4/20 | vs Baltimore Orioles | 7:40 p.m. | FS1 |
| Tue, 4/21 | vs Baltimore Orioles | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/22 | vs Baltimore Orioles | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/24 | vs Los Angeles Angels | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/25 | vs Los Angeles Angels | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/26 | vs Los Angeles Angels | 7:20 p.m. | Peacock |
| Tue, 4/28 | @ Oakland Athletics | 9:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/29 | @ Oakland Athletics | 9:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/30 | @ Oakland Athletics | 3:05 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/1 | @ Seattle Mariners | 9:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/2 | @ Seattle Mariners | 9:40 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/3 | @ Seattle Mariners | 4:10 p.m. | |
| Mon, 5/4 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 5/5 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/6 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 5/7 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/8 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/9 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/10 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:20 p.m. | Peacock |
| Tue, 5/12 | @ Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/13 | @ Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 5/14 | @ Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/15 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 8:15 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/16 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/17 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. | |
| Mon, 5/18 | vs Boston Red Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 5/19 | vs Boston Red Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/20 | vs Boston Red Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/22 | vs Seattle Mariners | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/23 | vs Seattle Mariners | 4:10 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun, 5/24 | vs Seattle Mariners | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Mon, 5/25 | vs New York Yankees | 3:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 5/26 | vs New York Yankees | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/27 | vs New York Yankees | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/29 | @ Texas Rangers | 8:05 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/30 | @ Texas Rangers | 4:05 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun, 5/31 | @ Texas Rangers | 2:35 p.m. |
Royals not playing today? Find another matchup on the full MLB schedule, which includes MLB players, MLB teams and MLB standings to keep your head in the game.
How to Watch the Kansas City Royals in 2026
If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, there are plenty Kansas City Royals schedule on DIRECTV. Below are a few places where you can watch the Royals’ baseball games.
- FOX SPORTS 1 – DIRECTV Channel 219
- MLB Royals.TV – DIRECTV Channel 671
- MLB NETWORK® – DIRECTV Channel 213
- ESPN – DIRECTV Channel 206
- ESPN 2– DIRECTV Channel 209
- MLB EXTRA INNINGS®
- ABC – Find your local ABC channel
- FOX – Find your local FOX channel
- TBS – DIRECTV Channel 247
Top Kansas City Royals Player in 2026
Kansas City’s remarkable, playoff-caliber about face starting in 2024 was driven in large part by the star power on their roster. Here are a few of the best Kansas City Royals players right now.
Bobby Witt Jr., Shortstop
In just four years, Witt has cemented himself as one of the league’s best players. A Gold Glove shortstop, a batting champion, a Silver Slugger, and a perennial 30-30 threat, he has collected 150 hits and stolen 30 bases in every season of his career. He only seems to be getting better.
Maikel Garcia, Third Base
In his third full season, Garcia broke out with career highs in every batting category and drastically cut down on his strikeouts. Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. form a Gold Glove, All-Star left side of the infield and the pieces of a World Series roster.
Vinnie Pasquantino, First Base
The power-hitting first baseman had a breakout in his second full season with 32 home runs and 113 RBIs. He is one of the four major offensive producers returning for the Royals. A repeat performance would go a long way for KC’s playoff chances.
Isaac Collins – Second Base
In a late offseason trade between Kansas City and Milwaukee, the Royals acquired Collins, who finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting a year ago with the Brewers. In 130 games, he hit 22 doubles, stole 16 bases, posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of less than 2:1 and slugged .411. He adds another capable bat to a lineup in need of offensive playmakers.
Salvador Perez, Catcher/Designated Hitter
The 15-year veteran is still playing at All-Star form. Last season he hit 30 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs — his first 30-homer season since 2021. One of the best players in Royals history is, in year 16, still one of the most valuable pieces of this roster.
Jac Caglianone – Outfield, First Base, Designated Hitter
The 22-year-old left-handed power hitter has had Royals fans giddy with anticipation for years, but in limited action last year, it was to mixed results. In 62 games he batted just .157 with a .295 slugging percentage, struggling against both righties and lefties. Still just 22, Caglianone possesses the potential to be a middle-of-the-order bat the Royals are counting on for their future.
Noah Cameron, Pitcher
After finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, Cameron gives the Royals a potential elite arm. In year one he went 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA and held opposing batters to a .279 on-base percentage against. With more offense behind him, his record should be a better reflection of his performance.
Kris Bubic, Pitcher
Bubic made his first All-Star team in his first full year as a starter since 2022. On the year he went 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts. He struggled at times with walks but set a career high in strikeouts and a new low in home runs allowed.
Cole Ragans, Pitcher
Ragans is likely the Opening Day starter. An All-Star in the 2024 season who went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA and made a run at the AL Cy Young, Ragans was limited to just 13 starts in 2025. If he returns fully healthy, he is the tip of the spear for this Royals rotation.
Carter Jensen, Catcher (Prospect)
The number 18 overall prospect in Major League Baseball, Jensen could be pushing for an Opening Day roster spot at catcher now that Salvador Perez is largely a DH. In 2025, he batted .290 with 20 home runs and elite exit velocity across Double-A and Triple-A.
Blake Mitchell, Catcher (Prospect)
Mitchell is probably a few years away, but he’s another offensive-minded catcher in the Royals system. A two-time Player of the Year in Texas, he was drafted eighth overall in 2023, battled injuries for a few years, but is now back as a player to keep an eye on.
Kansas City Royals Rivalries
Here’s a look at the top Royals rivalries to watch out for this season.
The Show-Me Series: Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Though they play in different leagues, the Royals and Cardinals are separated by just 240 miles on I-70 and get together every season. Known as the I-70 Series or the Show-Me Series, the rivalry has its origins in the 1985 World Series, where the Royals overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven. This year, Kansas City will travel to St. Louis from May 15-17 and host the Cardinals from June 18-21.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| Fri, 5/15 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 8:15 p.m. |
| Sat, 5/16 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. |
| Sun, 5/17 | @ St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. |
| Thu, 6/18 | vs St. Louis Cardinals | 7:40 p.m. |
| Fri, 6/19 | vs St. Louis Cardinals | 8:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 6/21 | vs St. Louis Cardinals | 2:10 p.m. |
Royals vs. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are one of the teams standing in the way of Kansas City’s World Series quest. Detroit, with their elite pitching staff, likely enters the season as the divisional favorites, but the Royals have the talent to beat those odds.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | TV |
| Tue, 4/14 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/15 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/16 | @ Detroit Tigers | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/8 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/9 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/10 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:20 p.m. | Peacock |
| Thu, 7/23 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 7/24 | @ Detroit Tigers | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 7/25 | @ Detroit Tigers | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 7/26 | @ Detroit Tigers | 1:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 8/21 | vs Detroit Tigers | 8:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 8/22 | vs Detroit Tigers | 7:15 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, 8/23 | vs Detroit Tigers | 2:10 p.m. |
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians
Another competitor for the AL Central heading into 2026, Kansas City may have the edge here. The Royals took multiple steps to address their woeful offense, while Cleveland is hoping 2025 was just a blip.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| Mon, 4/6 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. |
| Tue, 4/7 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 1:10 p.m. |
| Mon, 5/4 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. |
| Tue, 5/5 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. |
| Wed, 5/6 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. |
| Thu, 5/7 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 2:10 p.m. |
| Fri, 8/28 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, 8/29 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 4:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 8/30 | @ Cleveland Guardians | 1:40 p.m. |
| Fri, 9/25 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:40 p.m. |
| Sat, 9/26 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 9/27 | vs Cleveland Guardians | 3:10 p.m. |
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