ESPN’s opening MLB broadcast for 2026 will feature a marquee matchup: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions, hosting the New York Mets on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15. This kickoff game sets the tone for a season that ESPN will heavily program across its lineup.
In addition to the Mets-Dodgers clash, ESPN announced a Memorial Day matchup: the New York Yankees visiting the Kansas City Royals on May 25.
Under a revised three-year agreement, ESPN will present 30 games in 2026. The network becomes the rights holder for MLB.TV, the out-of-market streaming package, and will also secure in-market streaming rights for six MLB-produced markets: San Diego, Colorado, Arizona, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Seattle.
NBC and Peacock will carry Sunday Night Baseball and the wild-card games, while the Home Run Derby moves to Netflix.
The 30 ESPN games are slated to be primarily weeknights and summer fixtures, with notable events including the second-half opener between the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies on July 16 and the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, featuring the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers on August 23. Both of these broadcasts are scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
“Our exclusive 30-game linear package, complemented by high-profile events like Memorial Day and the second-half opener, will nicely augment the thousands of games streamed through our exclusive MLB.TV rights,” said Julie Sobieski, ESPN’s senior vice president of league sports programming and acquisitions.
ESPN2 will also air a Wednesday night edition of Baseball Tonight starting at 11 p.m. ET to cover the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida.
