The Kansas City Royals are stepping into a new era of broadcasting in 2026, and it’s one that puts fans squarely in the driver’s seat. On Monday, the team announced that all of its games this season will be produced and distributed by Major League Baseball via Royals.TV, a move that had been hinted at during Royals Rally over the weekend by president of business operations Cullen Maxey.
This shift comes after the Royals ended their broadcast agreement with Main Street Sports Group-the parent company of FanDuel Sports Kansas City-last month. Now, Kansas City joins a growing list of MLB clubs turning to the league itself to handle their game broadcasts, and the result is a more streamlined, fan-focused viewing experience.
Where and How to Watch
Here’s the good news for Royals fans: you’ve got options. Games will still be available on traditional cable and satellite platforms, and now, they’ll also be accessible through the MLB app and Royals.TV-which means you can stream games on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or pretty much any connected device you’ve got handy.
If you live within the Royals' home television territory, you can purchase an in-market streaming subscription through MLB.com or the MLB app. The pricing is straightforward: $19.99 per month or $99.99 for the full season. Subscriptions will become available later this month.
And here’s a major win: no blackout restrictions for in-market Royals.TV subscribers. That’s a big deal in a sport where blackout rules have historically frustrated local fans. If you're in the Royals' home territory, you’ll be able to stream every game that isn’t nationally exclusive-no hoops to jump through, no zip code headaches.
But there is a caveat. If you're traveling outside of the Royals’ home market-say, to New York or Chicago-blackout rules from other teams still apply.
For example, if the Royals are playing the Mets and you're in New York, that game would be blacked out on Royals.TV. Back home in Kansas City?
No problem.
Cable, Satellite, and Over-the-Air Broadcasts Still in Play
For fans who’ve been watching Royals games through FanDuel Sports Kansas City on cable or satellite, don’t worry-those options aren’t going anywhere. The Royals confirmed that games will continue to be available on those platforms this season. Specific providers and channel numbers will be announced closer to Opening Day, but the team expects them to be positioned alongside other sports content in your channel guide.
And for the second straight year, select Royals games will also be broadcast over the air on KCTV (Channel 5). Last season, 10 games were made available via this free, antenna-friendly option, and 2026 will follow suit. One of those games is already circled on the calendar: Opening Day, March 27 vs. the Braves, will be available to everyone in the Kansas City area with a TV and a basic antenna.
For the Out-of-Market Fans
If you’re a Royals fan living outside of the team’s home territory, you’ll need an MLB.TV out-of-market subscription, which is priced at $149.99 per year. That package gives you access to every out-of-market game across the league-including Royals games.
But here’s the key: if you live inside the Royals’ territory, the standard MLB.TV subscription won’t cut it. You’ll need the dedicated Royals.TV package to catch the action.
The Bottom Line
This move is all about accessibility and control. Whether you're watching from your couch in Kansas City or streaming on the go, the Royals are giving fans more ways to stay connected to the team throughout the 2026 season. With blackout restrictions lifted for in-market streaming and multiple viewing options still in place, this is a broadcast model built for the modern fan.
Royals baseball is going digital-and it’s never been easier to tune in.