MLB Season Schedule 2026
Key dates from Opening Day through the World Series — your complete 2026 baseball calendar.
The 2026 MLB season follows the same 162-game format that has defined baseball for decades. From the first pitch of spring training in February through the final out of the World Series in late October or early November, the baseball calendar is packed with compelling storylines across six months and all 30 franchises.
Understanding the baseball calendar helps fans plan around the biggest events — Opening Day, the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, the July 31 trade deadline, and the expanded 12-team playoff format that builds toward the World Series. The 2026 postseason features the same format introduced in 2022, with Wild Card Series, Division Series, Championship Series, and the Fall Classic.
Below is a comprehensive look at all the key dates and phases of the 2026 MLB season, from spring training through the championship.
2026 MLB Key Dates
Complete season calendar from spring training to the World Series
All 30 teams report for spring training in Arizona (Cactus League) and Florida (Grapefruit League). Spring games begin around February 20.
The official start of the MLB regular season. All 30 teams ideally play on Opening Day in a league-wide celebration of baseball's return.
162 games per team across 26 weeks. The longest season in major North American professional sports.
Home Run Derby on Monday, All-Star Game on Tuesday. Teams have 3-4 days off before resuming the regular season.
The single hard deadline for all trades. No trades permitted after 6 PM ET on July 31 until the following offseason.
Best-of-3 series. Seeds 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 in both leagues. Higher seed hosts all three games.
Best-of-5 series. Top 2 seeds join Wild Card winners. 4 series total (2 AL, 2 NL).
Best-of-7 series to determine the AL and NL pennant winners. Two series determine World Series participants.
Best-of-7 series between AL Champion and NL Champion. The Fall Classic. Can extend into November.
The 162-Game Regular Season Structure
Each MLB team plays 162 games over approximately 26 weeks, with scheduled off-days typically on Mondays and Thursdays. Teams play a mix of home and away series, generally in 2-4 game stretches, returning to their home parks throughout the season.
Interleague Play
Since 2023, MLB expanded interleague play significantly. All 30 teams play at least a few series each season against teams from the opposite league, with the schedules designed to rotate opponents over time. The designated hitter rule applies universally in all games since 2022.
Tiebreaker Games
If teams finish tied for a division title or a wild card spot at the end of 162 games, MLB uses head-to-head record first, then record against divisional opponents, and then various other criteria before potentially scheduling a tiebreaker game. Since 2022, many tiebreaker scenarios are resolved through the format rather than extra games.
The All-Star Break
The All-Star break is the midpoint of the season, typically in mid-July. Players are selected by fan voting, player votes, and manager selections. The Home Run Derby takes place the night before the All-Star Game, with players competing in a bracket format to hit the most home runs. All-Star Game rosters include at least one representative from each of the 30 teams.
2026 Spring Training Locations
All 30 MLB teams train in either Arizona (Cactus League) or Florida (Grapefruit League) from mid-February through late March.
Cactus League (Arizona)
- Chicago Cubs
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Colorado Rockies
- Kansas City Royals
- LA Dodgers
- LA Angels
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Oakland A's
- San Diego Padres
- San Francisco Giants
- Seattle Mariners
- Texas Rangers
- Chicago White Sox
- Cincinnati Reds
- Cleveland Guardians
Grapefruit League (Florida)
- Atlanta Braves
- Baltimore Orioles
- Boston Red Sox
- Detroit Tigers
- Houston Astros
- Miami Marlins
- Minnesota Twins
- NY Mets
- NY Yankees
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Washington Nationals
MLB Schedule 2026 FAQ
When is MLB Opening Day 2026?
MLB Opening Day 2026 is scheduled for late March 2026, likely around March 26. The exact date depends on the official schedule release. In recent years, Opening Day falls on the last Thursday of March.
How many games does each MLB team play?
Each team plays 162 regular season games over approximately 26 weeks, from late March through late September. This includes games against division rivals, league opponents, and interleague matchups.
When is the 2026 MLB All-Star Game?
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for mid-July 2026, typically the second week of the month. All-Star week includes the Home Run Derby on Monday and the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday.
When does the regular season end in 2026?
The 2026 regular season concludes in late September, around September 27-28. All 30 teams play simultaneously on the final day to ensure playoff seeding is decided fairly on the field.
When is the 2026 World Series?
The 2026 World Series begins in late October, around October 24-26, and can extend into early November if it reaches 7 games. It follows the League Championship Series, which follows the Division Series.