when does spring training start 2026

Spring training for the 2026 MLB season officially starts with games on February 20, 2026, with exhibition schedules running through late March.

Key 2026 spring training dates

• First spring training games: February 20, 2026 (Cactus and Grapefruit League games begin).

• Window for players reporting: Teams have players report and begin workouts in the week of February 9, 2026, with pitchers and catchers generally arriving first.

• End of spring training slate: Games continue into late March 2026, wrapping up just ahead of MLB Opening Day.

• Regular season Opening Day 2026: March 26, 2026.

Quick context for fans

If you’re planning a trip, most teams will have their main run of spring training games from February 20 through roughly March 23–25, depending on club schedules and special events like World Baseball Classic tune‑ups. Expect pitchers and catchers to be in camp by mid‑February, with full‑squad workouts starting a few days later.

Think of February 20, 2026, as the moment baseball really “returns,” even though the players have already been working out for about a week by then.

TL;DR: When does spring training start 2026?
Spring training games start February 20, 2026, with players reporting in the week of February 9 and the schedule running into late March before Opening Day on March 26.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.