Washington Nationals 2026 TV Schedule & How to Watch Games
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Local Washington Nationals fans can stream all games blackout-free by subscribing to Nationals.TV, which can be accessed through DIRECTV on channel 641 (streaming, satellite).
Out-of-market fans can also access Nationals games via an MLB.TV account on channel 641. Standard MLB.TV subscribers living in the Nationals’ home territory will still encounter local blackouts and will need a separate Nationals.TV subscription for in-market access.
The Washington Nationals endured a difficult 2025 season, finishing 66–96 and last in the NL East. The struggles led to major changes, including the firing of manager Dave Martinez, who had led the team to a 2019 World Series title but hadn’t posted a winning season since.
After a brief stint under interim manager Miguel Cairo, the Nationals turn to Blake Butera in 2026. At just 33, he becomes the youngest MLB manager since 1972.
While results haven’t followed yet, Washington remains in a solid rebuilding position with a promising young core that could push the team back toward contention. Check out the 2026 Washington Nationals TV schedule to follow along all season.
Founding Season: 1969 Division: National League East Home Ballpark: Nationals Park World Series Titles: 1 (2019) 2025 Finish: Did not make the playoffs
Washington Nationals Schedule 2026
The Nationals will likely enter nearly every game this season as an underdog. But they still have the type of talent that can steal a series. If teams aren’t paying attention, they might get bit by the Gnats.
Washington opens the season with three straight series against 2025 playoff teams. They begin in Chicago against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, then head to Philadelphia to face the Phillies before hosting the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s one of the toughest opening stretches in baseball.
Here’s a look at the Nationals’ first two months of the season, including where you can watch the games live. Games without national networks listed are typically available to watch on the team’s RSN, local streaming channel or MLB.tv team channel.
The Nationals finished 66–96 in 2025, last in the NL East, extending their postseason drought to six seasons since their 2019 World Series title. The disappointing year led to the firing of manager Dave Martinez and the hiring of Blake Butera ahead of 2026.
Offensively, Washington hovered around league average but ranked top 10 in steals and triples. Pitching was the bigger issue, as the staff posted the second-worst ERA in MLB while ranking near the bottom in strikeouts and among the worst in walks and home runs allowed.
Despite the record, there were encouraging signs from a young core. James Wood broke out in his first full MLB season, hitting 31 home runs with 38 doubles, 94 RBIs, and a .350 OBP en route to his first All-Star appearance. While he led the league in strikeouts, his upside is clear if he improves his contact rate.
CJ Abrams continued to develop, setting career highs in runs, hits, doubles, batting average and on-base percentage while stealing 30+ bases for the third straight year. Together, Wood and Abrams form a dynamic top of the lineup.
Dylan Crews flashed star potential in 85 games, Daylen Lyle hit .299 with 11 triples in 91 games, and MacKenzie Gore quietly delivered an All-Star-caliber season with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Overall, while the Nationals are still rebuilding in a competitive division, their young talent provides real optimism that contention is on the horizon.
How to Watch the Washington Nationals in 2026
If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, there are plenty of ways to catch every game on the Washington Nationals schedule with DIRECTV. Below are a few of the networks where you can watch the Nationals play live.
The Nationals have a handful of young players that are destined to make this team a contender in the coming years.
James Wood, Outfield
Wood had a breakout season last year, earning an All-Star selection while finishing with 31 home runs, 94 RBIs, 38 doubles and an .825 OPS. The one concern is that he led the majors in strikeouts. If he can bring that number down, his 6-foot-6 frame gives him the potential to be one of the premier power hitters in baseball.
CJ Abrams, Shortstop
Abrams has been a steady contributor since arriving in the Juan Soto trade. Last season, he set career highs with 149 hits, 92 runs, 35 doubles and a .257 batting average, while stealing 30+ bases for the third straight year. He remains a key piece of the Nationals’ core.
Dylan Crews, Outfield
Crews appeared in 85 games last year but showed the potential of what made him a top two pick a few years ago. He hit 20 extra-base hits in those 85 games, including 10 home runs. Crews had his best month of the season in September and will hope to carry that momentum into the early parts of the season.
Daylen Lyle, Outfield
Lyle joined the big-league club in mid-May and delivered an electric second half, batting .333 with 10 doubles, 10 triples, seven home runs and a .956 OPS. He’s expected to open the season on the roster and could be one of the more underrated hitters entering the year.
Harry Ford, Catcher
A first-round pick in 2021, Ford brings athleticism behind the plate and has stood out in the Futures Game, Arizona Fall League, and World Baseball Classic. Acquired from the Mariners in the offseason, he hit .283 with 18 doubles, 16 home runs, 74 RBIs and a .408 OBP across the minors last year. With Washington in rebuild mode, he should have a strong opportunity for playing time right away.
Cade Cavalli, Pitcher
Cavalli may be the closest thing the Nationals have to an ace. He went 3–1 with a 4.25 ERA in 10 appearances last season and will look to take a step forward as a full-time starter.
Washington Nationals Rivalries
Now, a look at some of the team’s biggest rivalries.
The Nationals and Orioles rivalry is relatively new as the two teams have yet to play 100 games against one another. But the regional proximity of Baltimore and DC allows for a little fun to be had six times a year as the two teams square off.
The Nationals and Phillies share a division in the NL East, and in the mid to late 2010s were often battling it out for playoff position. An added element to this rivalry is Bryce Harper, who began his career with the Nationals before ultimately signing with the Phillies.
Date
Opponent
Time
Watch Info
Mon, 3/30
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:40 p.m.
Tue, 3/31
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:40 p.m.
MLB Network
Wed, 4/1
at Philadelphia Phillies
1:05 p.m.
Mon, 6/22
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
Tue, 6/23
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
Wed, 6/24
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
Thu, 6/25
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
Mon, 8/3
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:40 p.m.
Tue, 8/4
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:40 p.m.
Wed, 8/5
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:40 p.m.
Thu, 8/6
at Philadelphia Phillies
6:05 p.m.
Tue, 9/15
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
Wed, 9/16
vs Philadelphia Phillies
6:45 p.m.
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