Baseball is almost back, and the 2026 season is kicking off with a spotlight game that’s as big as it gets. The San Francisco Giants will host the New York Yankees on Wednesday, March 25, in a primetime matchup that won’t just be the first pitch of the year-it’ll be a streaming-era statement.
Netflix is stepping into the batter’s box, broadcasting its first-ever Major League Baseball game at 5:05 p.m. PT, the night before traditional Opening Day.
That’s right-before the full slate of 11 games gets underway on March 26, it’ll be Giants vs. Yankees under the lights, and all eyes will be on the Bay.
But it’s not just the game that’s drawing attention. According to reports, Netflix is working to bring in some serious star power to anchor its baseball coverage, with none other than Barry Bonds in the mix.
If a deal gets finalized, the all-time home run king could be on-site in San Francisco for both pregame and postgame segments. Nothing’s official yet, but the idea of Bonds-arguably the most iconic player in Giants history-breaking down the action on Opening Night is enough to get any baseball fan buzzing.
Elle Duncan has already been announced as the host for all of Netflix’s sports studio coverage, and she could be joined by another big name: Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia. Talks are reportedly underway to bring Sabathia on board, especially to provide insight from the Yankees’ side of things. No word yet on who will be calling the game in the booth, but if Bonds and Sabathia are part of the pre- and postgame team, Netflix is clearly swinging for the fences with its debut coverage.
And this is just the beginning. Netflix is also set to broadcast the 2026 Home Run Derby, scheduled for the day before the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. On top of that, they’ll carry the always-special “Field of Dreams” game, this year featuring the Phillies and Twins squaring off in the cornfields of Iowa.
As for the Giants, this opener is more than just a marquee matchup-it’s a tone-setter for a team that feels like it has something to prove. Manager Tony Vitello, who’s stepping into his first MLB season at the helm, isn’t shying away from the moment.
“You might as well start everything with a bang for our team next season,” Vitello said. “This is a group that felt like they underachieved a little bit last year.
At the very least, they're hungry for more. That Opening Day is going to symbolize a lot of things.
We're fortunate to have it here. It's the only game of the day.”
It’s a bold beginning for both the Giants and Netflix. One is looking to bounce back and make a statement in the National League, the other is looking to plant its flag in the world of live sports broadcasting. And they’ll both get their chance when the lights come on in San Francisco on March 25.