Winter in New York is basically just a long, gray countdown until we see grass in Tampa. If you're like me, you’ve spent the last few months refreshing social media for any glimpse of a batting cage or a bullpen session. Well, the wait is over. The 2026 Grapefruit League season is officially on the horizon, and honestly, this year's slate looks a little different than what we’re used to.
The Yankees are hitting the ground running—literally—on February 20. But if you can't make it down to George M. Steinbrenner Field, you're going to be glued to your screen. Navigating the Yankees spring training TV schedule can be a bit of a headache with all the different networks and streaming blackouts, but it's the only way to see if the new prospects are actually worth the hype.
Where to Find the Yankees Spring Training TV Schedule in 2026
The backbone of your viewing experience is always going to be the YES Network. They handle the lion's share of the broadcasts, especially for those afternoon home games in Tampa. For 2026, YES has confirmed they'll be carrying the bulk of the 33-game schedule, but keep an eye on the Gotham Sports App if you’ve finally cut the cord. It’s basically the new home for local streaming if you're within the New York market.
Outside of the local bubble, MLB Network picks up several games, usually on a tape-delay basis unless it’s a high-profile matchup against the Red Sox or Mets. Speaking of the Mets, the "Spring Training Subway Series" games on March 8 are almost always a dual-broadcast situation, so you can pick your favorite announcers for that one.
Key Dates You Cannot Miss
- February 20: The opener. Yankees at Baltimore Orioles. This is the first time we see the pinstripes in live action for 2026.
- February 21: The home opener at GMS Field against the Detroit Tigers. Usually a big televised event on YES.
- March 3: This is a weird, cool one. The Yankees play an exhibition against Team Panama in preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- March 18: The Red Sox come to Tampa. It’s "exhibition" baseball, sure, but nobody actually treats it that way.
- March 21: The Spring Breakout game. This is where you see the top prospects like the Atlanta Prospects square off against the future of the Yankees.
- March 23-24: The finale. The Yankees are actually heading to Arizona to play the Cubs at Sloan Park. It’s the first time they’ve done a spring stint in Arizona since 1951.
Streaming and Out-of-Market Watching
If you aren't living in the tri-state area, things get slightly more complicated. MLB.TV is your best friend here. They usually carry every single spring training game that has a local TV production. If the Orioles are broadcasting the Feb 20 game on their local affiliate, you can usually watch it through the MLB app.
A lot of fans forget about the radio, too. WFAN and the Yankees Radio Network still cover most of these, and there’s something about John Sterling’s voice (or whoever is filling those legendary shoes these days) that just feels like baseball. Even if there's no TV camera at a small road stadium in Dunedin, there's almost always a radio feed.
The Arizona Twist and the World Baseball Classic
What’s really interesting about the Yankees spring training TV schedule this year is the tail end. Because of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the rhythm is a bit off. Players will be coming and going to join their national teams, which means the televised games in early March might feature more "reserve" players than usual.
Then you have the Arizona trip. Playing the Cubs at Sloan Park on March 23 and 24 is a massive logistical shift. For those of us watching at home, check the start times carefully. Arizona doesn't do Daylight Saving Time, so that 1:05 PM local start in Mesa is actually 4:05 PM back in the Bronx. It’s a late-afternoon treat before the regular season kicks off on March 25 against the Giants in San Francisco.
Actionable Steps for the Season
- Download the Gotham Sports App: If you're in-market, this is the most reliable way to stream YES Network without a cable box.
- Check the "Tape Delay" Schedule: MLB Network often airs games at 8:00 PM or midnight if they didn't show them live. Set your DVR.
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official Yankees site and use the "Sync to Calendar" feature. It usually updates with the specific TV channels (YES, ESPN, MLBN) about 48 hours before first pitch.
- Prepare for Netflix: Remember, the regular season opener on March 25 is slated for Netflix, so make sure your login still works before the spring ends.
Get your remote ready and maybe buy a new hat. Spring is finally here.
