The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing more baseball straight to fans' living rooms this season, thanks to an expanded partnership with 12 News, Phoenix’s NBC affiliate. After a strong debut year that saw high viewership and enthusiastic fan feedback, the D-backs and 12 News are running it back - and then some - for 2026.
Here’s the headline: 11 Diamondbacks games will be available over-the-air on 12 News this season, including the national season opener on March 26 against the Dodgers, which is part of Major League Baseball’s broader broadcast deal with NBC. That’s 10 local broadcasts plus one national showcase - a solid slate for fans who want to keep up with the team without needing a cable or streaming subscription.
This move continues what’s quickly becoming one of the more fan-friendly local broadcast arrangements in baseball. Last year’s partnership between the D-backs and 12 News didn’t just pull in strong numbers - it resonated.
Fans responded loudly and clearly: they want more accessible baseball, and they want to feel connected to their team. This deal delivers on both fronts.
“We brought D-backs baseball to more households while also taking fans inside our organization like never before,” said Derrick Hall, the club’s President, CEO & General Partner. “We’re building on that momentum - not just showing games, but telling the stories that make this team and this city special.”
And the reach here is significant. 12 News broadcasts into roughly 1.59 million homes in the Phoenix market alone, but the signal doesn’t stop there. Over-the-air coverage extends across Arizona and into neighboring states - including parts of New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada - for a total reach of nearly 3.8 million TV households, according to comScore.
For fans in those regions, this means more chances to watch the D-backs without any extra hoops to jump through. No subscriptions.
No blackouts. Just baseball.
The 11-game schedule includes a mix of marquee matchups and key divisional tilts. It kicks off with the March 26 season opener against the Dodgers and includes the March 30 home opener versus the Tigers.
Other dates to circle: July 4 against the Brewers, August 7 for another showdown with the Dodgers, and a late-season clash with the Yankees on September 18. Here’s the full list:
- March 26 vs. Dodgers (Season Opener - MLB on NBC)
- March 30 vs. Tigers (Home Opener)
- April 17 vs. Blue Jays
- May 22 vs. Rockies
- June 5 vs. Nationals
- July 4 vs. Brewers
- July 17 vs. Cardinals
- August 7 vs. Dodgers
- August 21 vs. Reds
- September 11 vs. Rangers
- September 18 vs. Yankees
Of course, all dates and matchups are subject to change - it’s baseball, after all - but the intent is clear: make the Diamondbacks more accessible to more fans, more often.
And it’s not just about the games themselves. 12 News is also bringing back D-backs on Deck, a one-hour pregame show that airs before each broadcast.
Hosted by sports anchors Cameron Cox, Lina Washington, and Jake Garcia, the show dives into storylines, delivers player interviews, and gives fans a closer look at the personalities that make up this team. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes access that turns casual viewers into diehards.
Kate Morris, President and General Manager of 12 News, summed it up well: “This partnership is about more than games. It’s about hometown pride, shared storytelling, and serving fans across Arizona.”
In a time when sports broadcasting is often tangled in subscription fees, blackouts, and shifting platforms, the D-backs and 12 News are keeping it simple: put the games where the fans can see them. And with this expanded slate, they’re not just showing baseball - they’re building a deeper connection between the team and the community it represents.