MLB Announces 2026 Spring Training Schedule

Major League Baseball’s offseason countdown officially has an endpoint. The league announced Wednesday that spring training will begin on February 20, opening with seven games spread across Florida and Arizona. The early slate features marquee matchups such as the New York Yankees visiting the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota and a Crosstown Classic between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in Mesa, Arizona.

The first day also includes contests between the Diamondbacks and Rockies, Padres and Mariners, and Royals and Rangers, alongside two traditional exhibitions: the Boston Red Sox facing Northeastern University and the Minnesota Twins taking on the University of Minnesota. These annual college matchups continue a long-standing spring tradition that bridges major-league and amateur baseball.

The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will open their spring campaign on February 21, facing the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe, Arizona. The matchup will mark the first appearance of the reigning champions in the 2026 calendar year and will likely feature early glimpses of their title-defending roster.

With these early contests setting the stage, teams across both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues will begin weeks of evaluation, roster experimentation, and fan anticipation — signaling baseball’s long-awaited return after the winter lull.

1. International Flair and Prospect Showcase

A highlight of this spring’s schedule is MLB’s collaboration with international baseball. On March 3 and 4, 14 games will feature major-league clubs facing off against national teams preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The United States national team is set to play the San Francisco Giants on March 3 and the Colorado Rockies on March 4, both held at spring training venues in Scottsdale, Arizona. These exhibitions provide valuable preparation for both sides — offering WBC squads live competition against top-tier professional talent while giving MLB teams a chance to evaluate players against international styles of play. For fans, the matchups promise a unique mix of competitive spirit and global baseball culture. Also returning this year is Spring Breakout, MLB’s showcase of top prospects across all organizations. Scheduled for March 19–22, the event will pit minor-league standouts against one another in a four-day series of games designed to spotlight the next generation of major leaguers. The league introduced the Spring Breakout concept to increase fan engagement and visibility for emerging talent. In just its third edition, the showcase has already become a key attraction for scouts and enthusiasts eager to see future stars before they reach the big stage.

2. Vegas on Display and Expanded Exhibitions

The Oakland Athletics’ transition toward Las Vegas will take center stage in early March when the team meets the Los Angeles Angels for a two-game series on March 7 and 8 at Las Vegas Ballpark. The A’s, who are expected to relocate permanently to Las Vegas by 2028, will also play six regular-season games there from June 8–14, providing fans in Nevada an early look at the franchise’s future home. Beyond the Vegas showcase, spring training will extend into a series of exhibition games across regular-season venues as teams gear up for Opening Day. The Yankees will visit the Cubs for games on March 23 and 24, serving as final tune-ups before their March 25 opener in San Francisco. Similarly, the Detroit Tigers will face the Cubs as they prepare for their March 26 opener in San Diego. Between March 22–24, several high-profile series will take place in big-league parks, including the Freeway Series between the Dodgers and Angels, a two-game Orioles-Nationals matchup, and series featuring the Royals at Texas, Cleveland at Arizona, and Cincinnati at Milwaukee. These contests give fans an early preview of regular-season intensity while allowing teams to acclimate to full-stadium conditions before the official start. As anticipation builds, the combination of traditional spring matchups, international exhibitions, and cross-league showcases highlights MLB’s growing emphasis on fan experience and competitive preparation.

3. Countdown to Opening Day

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With the regular season set to open March 25 in San Francisco, teams now have a clear roadmap to 2026. The upcoming spring slate represents more than just preseason action — it’s a blend of renewal, experimentation, and global connection that defines modern baseball. Fans will once again flock to warm-weather ballparks in Arizona and Florida, eager to glimpse new signings, top prospects, and retooled rosters. For players, these games mark a crucial stretch of preparation — one that can determine roster spots, set rotations, and build early-season chemistry. From the WBC warmups to the Las Vegas showcases, MLB’s spring training schedule reflects both its heritage and its forward-looking ambitions. It’s a celebration of baseball’s enduring rhythms — and a reminder that every new season begins with the optimism of February. As the league’s 2026 campaign draws near, spring training once again stands as the gateway to another year of competition, tradition, and the pursuit of October glory.