ESPN has officially rolled out its Major League Baseball broadcast schedule for the 2026 season, and it’s kicking things off with a game that carries far more weight than just the standings.
On April 15, the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet under the lights at Dodger Stadium for a prime-time matchup on Jackie Robinson Day - a date that marks the 79th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT, but the significance of the night goes well beyond baseball.
As is tradition across the league, every player, coach and manager will wear No. 42 in Dodger Blue - a powerful, unified tribute to the man who forever changed the game. And in Los Angeles, where Robinson's legacy runs especially deep, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is expected to lead the team, front office staff and others to gather around the Robinson statue at the stadium. It’s a moment of reflection that’s become a meaningful part of the annual celebration, and one that continues to resonate in a sport still evolving from the path Robinson paved.
That Mets-Dodgers clash is just the beginning of ESPN’s 30-game MLB slate for 2026. Next up on the calendar is a Memorial Day matchup between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals on May 25 - a game that traditionally blends patriotism with baseball’s deep-rooted place in American culture.
Fast forward to July 16, and ESPN will air the second-half opener between the Mets and Phillies, a rivalry that always brings some extra juice - especially if the NL East race is tight, which it often is.
Then there’s the MLB Little League Classic on August 23, where the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers will square off in one of baseball’s most charming showcases. It’s a unique event that blends big-league talent with Little League dreams, and ESPN will once again be the exclusive broadcaster.
All of these matchups come as part of MLB’s updated media rights deal with ESPN - a partnership that’s been in place since 1990 but is seeing some notable changes this season.
Here’s what’s shifting: ESPN will no longer carry Sunday Night Baseball or the Wild Card Series, two staples that are now moving over to NBCUniversal. That network also regains the rights to MLB Sunday Leadoff games, giving it a bigger footprint in the baseball broadcast landscape.
Another big change? ESPN has lost the rights to the Home Run Derby. That event is heading to Netflix, which is also set to stream an Opening Night exclusive and the Field of Dreams game - a move that signals just how much the streaming era is reshaping how fans watch baseball.
Meanwhile, Fox remains a major player in MLB broadcasting. The network will continue to air marquee events like the All-Star Game, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series, along with select regular-season matchups.
Turner Sports stays in the mix as well, with Tuesday night regular-season games and coverage of the Division and League Championship Series.
And for those Friday night doubleheaders? Apple TV+ is still the go-to destination, continuing its role as the home of Friday Night Baseball.
As for ESPN, while its role is evolving, the network will still be a central hub for baseball fans - especially with its expanded streaming coverage. More than 150 out-of-market games will be available through ESPN’s new app, giving fans plenty of access to follow their favorite teams and players from anywhere.
So while the broadcast landscape is shifting, the game itself remains the same - and ESPN’s 2026 schedule is bringing fans some of the season’s most meaningful matchups, starting with a night that transcends the sport entirely.