The 2026 MLB regular season starts with a special Opening Night game on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, followed by a full slate of Opening Day games on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Quick Scoop: Key Dates

  • Opening Night 2026
    • Date: March 25, 2026
    • Matchup: New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
    • This is the standalone game that officially kicks off the 2026 MLB regular season.
  • Opening Day 2026 (full start of season)
    • Date: March 26, 2026
    • The other 28 teams play, making this the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history.
  • Season window
    • Regular season runs from March 25/26 through September 27, 2026, with postseason to follow.

So if you are planning for “when does MLB season start,” circle March 25–26, 2026 on your calendar.

TL;DR: MLB’s 2026 season starts March 25 with Yankees–Giants, and everyone else opens March 26.

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