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(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“Wait ’til next year” might seem a bit premature to be saying on Aug. 26 (unless you’re a Rockies or White Sox fan). But at Baseball America, we’re all about the future. And with the 2026 MLB Schedule dropping today, we thought we’d take a look at 10 key dates to get excited about in the new year.
March 5-17: World Baseball Classic
OK, this one is cheating a little bit, as these dates have already been out there. But given the sheer popularity of the event (and the fact that that it only happens once every three years), it’s definitely something to mark on the calendar, especially if we’re due for more drama like the Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout at-bat that decided the whole thing in 2023.
OTD in 2023: Trout vs. Ohtani with the World Baseball Classic title on the line
The Japanese broadcast call is amazing 👏 pic.twitter.com/sYXXYFraCp
— MLB (@MLB) March 21, 2025
Wednesday, March 25: Opening Day, Sorta
The regular season officially kicks off as the Yankees play the Giants in San Francisco.
Thursday, March 26: Opening Day, For Real
The other 28 teams kick off their seasons on what MLB says is the earliest Opening Day in history. Key matchups include the Dodgers against the Diamondbacks, the Red Sox against the Reds and the Guardians against the Mariners.
May 14-17: Rivalry Weekend
The weekend slate will feature 11 interleague “rivalry” matchups and four other regional matchups, including…
- Mets vs. Yankees
- Dodgers vs. Angels
- Royals vs. Cardinals
- Reds vs. Guardians
- Marlins vs. Rays
- Orioles vs. Nationals
- Pirates vs. Phillies
- Astros vs. Rangers
June 8-14: Viva Las Vegas
Even though the Athletics will play their 2026 season again in Sacramento, they will host this homestand against the Brewers and Rockies at Las Vegas Ballpark (home of their Triple-A affiliate Aviators) as a preview of their future in Las Vegas.
Saturday, June 20: A Scheduled Doubleheader!
With the United States hosting the FIFA World Cup next year, MLB had to get creative with their scheduling. This includes a number of pre-scheduled weekend days off (normally incredibly rare during the regular season), plus a rare scheduled doubleheader on June 20 between the Mariners and Red Sox in Seattle.
Tuesday, July 14: The All-Star Game in Philadelphia
Philadelphia will be hosting the game in part timed to America’s 250th birthday just 10 days prior. The 1976 All-Star Game was also played in Philadelphia, as part of America’s 200th birthday. And while not officially announced yet, this means that the Futures Game is likely to be on Saturday, July 11, and the MLB Draft is likely to start on Sunday, July 12.
Weekend Of Aug. 14-16: Field Of Dreams Game
For the first time since 2022, MLB will host a game at the Field of Dreams in Dyserville, Iowa, when the Phillies take on the Twins. MLB has not yet announced which of the three games in this stretch will be the one played at the field; the rest will take place at Target Field, as Minnesota is the home team for this series.
Sept. 11-13: Marking 25 Years Since 9/11
The Yankees host the Mets in a Subway Series that will pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Sunday, Sept. 27: Last Day Of The Regular Season
It is not yet known if MLB is planning on having every game start at approximately the same time (as they have done in recent years). But the day’s slate will feature nine divisional match-ups.
In addition to these key dates, all 30 teams will also once again mark Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, Lou Gehrig Day on June 2 and Roberto Clemente Day on Sept. 15, plus the Red Sox will host the Tigers on Patriots Day on April 20, the Blue Jays will host the Mets on Canada Day on July 1 and the Nationals will host the Pirates on the Fourth of July.
You can dive deeper into the full 2026 schedule here.
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