From a unique Opening Night to the traditional Opening Day matchups and key series on the schedule, here is everything to know about the 2026 MLB schedule release.
MLB 2026 Schedule Release: When is Opening Day and what are other key dates? originally appeared on The Sporting News
Throughout sports, much is made of schedule releases, but none are handled quite like MLB's.
With just over a month remaining in the 2025 regular season, MLB released its schedule for the 2026 campaign. The next MLB regular season will begin earlier than ever before and feature several key dates and matchups of note.
From a unique Opening Night to the traditional Opening Day matchups and key series on the schedule, here's everything to know about the 2026 MLB season.
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When is MLB Opening Day 2026?
- Date: March 26, 2026
The 2026 MLB season will begin on Wednesday, March 25, with a standalone primetime matchup between the Giants and Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
On Thursday, March 26, the remaining 28 MLB teams will take the field for a traditional 14-game Opening Day slate. It will stand as the earliest scheduled traditional opening day in league history.
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MLB Opening Day 2026 schedule
Here are the 14 matchups for Opening Day. Times are TBD.
- Red Sox at Reds
- Pirates at Mets
- Athletics at Blue Jays
- Twins at Orioles
- Rangers at Phillies
- Royals at Braves
- Rockies at Marlins
- Angels at Astros
- Nationals at Cubs
- Rays at Cardinals
- White Sox at Brewers
- Diamondbacks at Dodgers
- Tigers at Padres
- Guardians at Mariners
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Key dates and series on the MLB 2026 schedule
In addition to Opening Night and Opening Day, there are several key dates on the 2026 MLB schedule.
All 30 teams will be in action when Major League Baseball honors the lives and legacies of Jackie Robinson (April 15), Lou Gehrig (June 2) and Roberto Clemente (Sept. 15). Rivalry Weekend returns in mid-May, and the Athletics will get a preview of their future home when they host two series in Las Vegas in June.
As part of the celebration of the nation’s 250th year of independence, every team will take the field on July 4. Days later, Philadelphia will host the All-Star festivities.
- March 25: Opening Night (Yankees at Giants)
- March 26: 28 teams in action for Opening Day
- April 15: All 30 teams in action to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day
- May 15-17: Rivalry Weekend
- June 2: All 30 teams in action for Lou Gehrig Day
- June 8-14: Athletics to host two series in Las Vegas (vs. Brewers and Rockies)
- July 4: All 30 teams in action to commemoratethe250th anniversary of American independence
- July 14: MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia
- Sept. 11-13: Yankees host Mets on 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
- Sept. 15: All 30 teams in action for Roberto Clemente Day
- Sept. 27: All 30 teams in action for Game 162
Category: Baseball
