MLB Opening Day 2026: Schedule, matchups, previews and extra
The World Baseball Classic might be over — but there’s more fun just around the corner with MLB opening week.
The 2026 season kicks off with a matchup between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants on March 25, followed by 11 Opening Day games the next day. The remaining six teams will play their first games of the season on March 27.
Thirty of the best pitchers across the majors will take the mound, including eight who will be making their first Opening Day start and 15 All-Stars.
What are the most important things to know from the offseason going into the 162-game marathon that is the 2026 season? What are the most exciting matchups? What are some storylines to watch?
We have you covered on everything you need to be prepared for Opening Day, from season previews and analysis to the schedule.

Opening Day schedule
(All times ET)
March 25
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The pitching matchup: Max Fried vs. Logan Webb
March 26
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The pitching matchup: Paul Skenes vs. Freddy Peralta
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The pitching matchup: Shane Smith vs. TBD
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The pitching matchup: Cade Cavalli vs. Matthew Boyd
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The pitching matchup: Joe Ryan vs. Trevor Rogers
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The pitching matchup: Garrett Crochet vs. Andrew Abbott
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The pitching matchup: Jose Soriano vs. Hunter Brown
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The pitching matchup: Tarik Skubal vs. TBD
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The pitching matchup: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Cristopher Sanchez
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The pitching matchup: Drew Rasmussen vs. Matthew Liberatore
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The pitching matchup: Zac Gallen vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
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The pitching matchup: Tanner Bibee vs. Logan Gilbert
March 27
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The pitching matchup: Luis Severino vs. Kevin Gausman
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The pitching matchup: Kyle Freeland vs. Sandy Alcantara
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The pitching matchup: Cole Ragans vs. Chris Sale

2026 season guides
Jeff Passan’s 2026 season preview
MLB Rank Top 100
Top breakout players for all 30 teams