MLB Opening Day 2026: Schedule, Start Times & How to Watch

It’s already been an exciting year for baseball—and the 2026 MLB regular season hasn’t even officially begun.

An electrifying World Baseball Classic helped build momentum heading into the new season, and after last year’s unforgettable postseason—highlighted by an extra-innings Game 7 in the World Series—fans are more than ready for Opening Day.

That’s a tough act to follow, but with returning contenders and redemption stories across the league, the 2026 MLB season is shaping up to deliver.

Here’s everything you need to know about MLB Opening Day 2026, including the full schedule and how to watch live.

With the most MLB games of any provider*, including in-market Regional Sports Networks, national broadcasts and out-of-market coverage, DIRECTV gives you one of the most complete ways to follow every rivalry all season long. Sign up today and don’t miss a moment from Opening Day onward.

Shop Packages

*Compared to cable, Dish and most streaming providers. RSNs avail. with CHOICE package or higher. Availability of RSNs varies by ZIP code and package.

When is MLB Opening Day 2026?

• Main Opening Day: Thursday, March 26, 2026
• Season Opener: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

The 2026 MLB season officially begins on March 25, when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants at 8:05 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the season opener live on Netflix.

Most teams will play their first game on Thursday, March 26, while a few clubs begin on Friday, March 27.

How to Watch Opening Day 2026 MLB Games

MLB Opening Day and regular-season games are available across a mix of regional sports networks, team-specific channels, national channels, streaming services, MLB.tv, and, in some cases, local broadcast stations affiliated with each team. The season opener on Wednesday. March 25 will stream live on Netflix, starting at 8:05 p.m. ET.

DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS customers who carry programming packages with ESPN (satellite only) will also have access to the season opener. 

Two games will be nationally televised on Opening Day across NBC and Peacock: the Mets vs. the Pirates at 1:15 p.m. ET and the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks at 8:30 p.m. ET.

MLB games will also be available on MLB.TV, subject to local blackout restrictions.

You can check the MLB team schedule and find your RSN to watch your favorite team play their first game of the season live.

Full MLB Opening Day 2026 Schedule

Here’s a full look at the Opening Day schedule along with where to tune in to watch it all go down live.

Wednesday, March 25

Thursday, March 26

Key Opening Day Matchups to Watch

Here are the Opening Day matchups you don’t want to miss.

New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants (March 25)

MLB opens the season with a historic rivalry. Aaron Judge, the two-time reigning AL MVP, will be looking to return to top form after a disappointing stretch. The Yankees were eliminated by the Blue Jays in last year’s ALDS, and Team USA fell short in the World Baseball Classic final with Judge as captain. He’ll look to get back in the win column against Giants ace Logan Webb.

Webb once again led Major League Baseball in innings pitched and will take the ball on Opening Night as San Francisco pushes to return to the postseason. The addition of Luis Arraez brings elite contact hitting to a lineup already featuring power threats like Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames.

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets

The Mets once again boast one of baseball’s highest payrolls, and the urgency is even higher after a devastating playoff miss last season. Juan Soto is fresh off a career year, and the lineup has been reshaped with the additions of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco. Top prospect Carson Benge also made the big-league roster, signaling an all-in approach in Queens.

They’ll face a daunting challenge in Paul Skenes, who is coming off a dominant World Baseball Classic and what looks like the first of many Cy Young-caliber seasons. Pittsburgh also added offensive help with Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn, but their success will hinge on pitching. Bubba Chandler could emerge as a second ace alongside Skenes.

Chicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers entered the Major League Baseball postseason as the top team but were swept away in the NLCS by the eventual champion Dodgers. Despite losing Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee remains loaded with talent. Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang and William Contreras will anchor a strong lineup.

The White Sox, meanwhile, are deep in a rebuild after finishing near the bottom of the league. There are reasons for optimism, however. Colson Montgomery continues to develop, and the addition of Munetaka Murakami from Japan adds intrigue as the team looks to take a step forward.

Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs

The Cubs were one of baseball’s best teams a year ago. They would have won most divisions if they didn’t share theirs with the MLB’s best Milwaukee Brewers. With Pete Crow-Armstrong locked up long term, contributions from young players like Michael Busch and Cade Horton, and the addition of Alex Bregman, expectations are high on the North Side.

The Nationals aren’t expected to contend just yet, but their young core—headlined by James Wood and C.J. Abrams—gives fans plenty of reason for optimism as the team continues to build toward the future.

Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles

Joe Ryan will take the ball for the Twins as they start a new chapter with a new manager and a very new and young lineup. It’s a tall order to expect them to compete for the postseason, but breakouts from Luke Keaschall and Royce Lewis with another healthy season from Byron Buxton could make things interesting. They’ll travel to Camden Yards to take on the Orioles.

Baltimore is one of the top bounce-back candidates after finishing last in the AL East following back-to-back playoff appearances. With MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson and the addition of Pete Alonso, the lineup has plenty of firepower. The key will be a pitching staff led by Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish putting it all together.

Boston Red Sox at Cincinnati Reds

A battle of two teams formerly nicknamed the Red Stockings. Both teams snuck into the playoffs with the last wild card but were quickly dispatched and will be looking for a deeper run this season.

Garrett Crochet is fresh off a second-place finish in the Cy Young for the Red Sox. Boston fields one of the youngest and brightest lineups in baseball. Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu balled out in the World Baseball Classic and Caleb Durbin brings all around production at third.

On the other side, the Reds will turn to Andrew Abbott, who had an All-Star season a year ago, and Elly De La Cruz, one of the most electrifying players in baseball. Eugenio Suárez is back after posting a career high 49 homers a year ago to provide some much-needed pop to this lineup.

Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros

Expectations remain low for the Angels, who continue to navigate a prolonged rebuild. While young players like Zach Neto and Jo Adell showed promise, much will depend on whether pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah—both starting the season on the IL—can return to form.

Houston, on the other hand, remains firmly in the playoff picture. After losing their grip on the AL West last season, the Astros are motivated to rebound. With stars like Yordan Alvarez and Hunter Brown entering their prime, this is still a dangerous team.

Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Detroit. Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball for two straight seasons and leads a Tigers team built around elite pitching.

San Diego snuck into the playoffs last season with a wild card spot but didn’t make it far. Most teams would look up at the Dodgers as an unbeatable Goliath, but nobody plays them better than the Padres. San Diego is hoping that a full season with Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. healthy will finally unlock the potential that they carry every season.

Tampa Bay Rays at St. Louis Cardinals

The Rays missed the playoffs in an unusual season that saw them play in a temporary home while Tropicana Field underwent repairs. Still, Tampa Bay remains a threat. Junior Caminero broke out in a big way and looks like a perennial MVP candidate, while a healthy Shane McClanahan would bolster an already strong pitching staff.

The Cardinals are embracing a youth movement. Top prospect JJ Wetherholt is expected to start at second base alongside Gold Glove shortstop Masyn Winn. St. Louis will also look for continued development from Victor Scott II and Ivan Herrera, while hoping Jordan Walker finally breaks out.

Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies

The Rangers featured one of the best pitching staffs in baseball last season but narrowly missed the playoffs due to injuries on offense. The lineup has been reshaped with the addition of Brandon Nimmo, who is expected to lead off, while Wyatt Langford takes over in the outfield. A healthy Corey Seager could be the key to a return to the postseason.

Philadelphia made the playoffs but fell short of World Series expectations. With a powerhouse lineup led by Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper—and a pitching staff anchored by Zack Wheeler and breakout star Cristopher Sánchez—the Phillies remain a top contender in the NL East.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB’s Opening Day special pits the Diamondbacks against the defending champion Dodgers. The Diamondbacks hung around the playoff picture for much of the season but ultimately fell short. Still, a breakout season from Geraldo Perdomo, another excellent season from Corbin Carroll and an all-star season from Ketel Marte will be enough to keep them in the playoff picture once again.

The question will be around their pitching staff. Zac Gallen was brought back and will get the nod on Opening Day, but the question marks still remain around Corbin Burnes, who they’re expecting back around the All-Star Game break, and Merrill Kelly, who will open the year on the IL.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, somehow got even stronger. The addition of Kyle Tucker adds another elite bat to a lineup already featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, takes the mound as he begins his Cy Young pursuit.

Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners

The Guardians rode a second half surge to snatch the AL Central away from the Tigers before ultimately falling to those very Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series. They are banking big on the emergence of right fielder Chase DeLauter to add some much-needed power to this lineup. Their rotation will be their strength with Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, who are one A and one B at the top of their rotation.

Seattle is coming off a heartbreaking seven-game loss in the ALCS. Cal Raleigh put together an MVP-caliber season, while Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor starred in the postseason. If the pitching staff stays healthy, the Mariners may have the deepest rotation in baseball. Logan Gilbert gets the Opening Day start.

Watch the Most MLB with DIRECTV

Did you know that DIRECTV carries more MLB games than any other provider? That’s right, and you can catch your favorite teams on the diamond all season long with it. 

Don’t have DIRECTV yet? Sign up or make the switch today!

© 2026 Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.