If you just woke up and the first thing on your mind was checking if are yankees on tv today, I have some news for you. It’s January 18, 2026. Unless you’ve found a way to manipulate time, there isn’t a live game happening this afternoon.
Baseball is a seasonal obsession. Right now, we’re in that weird middle ground where the frost is still on the ground in the Bronx, and the crack of the bat feels like a distant memory from last October. But that doesn't mean the YES Network is dark. Far from it.
The Short Answer for Today
No, there is no live New York Yankees game on TV today.
The 2026 regular season doesn't kick off for another couple of months. Specifically, the Yankees are slated for a high-profile Opening Night against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
That game is actually going to be a bit of a media circus. In a massive shift for the league, that opener is being streamed on Netflix as part of their new three-year agreement with MLB. If you were looking for live action on your screen right now, you're a few weeks early for even the exhibition stuff.
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What is on YES Network right now?
Even without a live game, the Yankees’ flagship station, YES Network, isn't just showing a test pattern. If you tune in today, Sunday, January 18, you’re looking at a heavy rotation of "Hot Stove" talk and retrospective content.
The current schedule for today includes:
- Yankees Magazine: Deep dives into the current roster moves.
- Yankees Hot Stove: This is where the real junkies hang out to debate if the recent acquisition of LHP Ryan Weathers or the re-signing of Paul Blackburn was enough to bolster the rotation.
- Local Legends: Re-runs of classic interviews and historical looks at the franchise.
- Yankees News & Views: Snippets of news from around the league.
If you’re a Brooklyn Nets fan, you might actually find live sports on the channel later tonight, as YES pulls double duty for both teams during the winter months.
When Do the Yankees Actually Play?
The wait isn't forever. We are officially in the countdown to Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers for the Yankees are scheduled to report to Tampa on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The first time you will see a Yankee in a uniform against an actual opponent is Friday, February 20, 2026. They open their Grapefruit League schedule against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
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That first spring game is usually televised on YES, though sometimes it's a shared broadcast with the opposing team's regional network. Honestly, those early games are mostly just about seeing if everyone’s hamstrings are intact and watching prospects you'll forget by May.
2026 Major Broadcast Milestones
The landscape of watching the Yankees has changed. It's not just "turn on Channel 11" anymore like it was in the 90s. For 2026, the schedule is split across more platforms than ever.
- YES Network: Still the home for about 125+ games.
- Amazon Prime Video: Expect roughly 20 Friday night games to be exclusive here again.
- Netflix: They have the Opening Night exclusive on March 25th.
- NBC/Peacock: Big news for 2026—NBC is back in the baseball business. The Yankees are already booked for three Sunday Night Baseball slots on NBC and Peacock, including a massive tilt against the Red Sox on June 28th.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" continues, and the Yankees are a lock for at least two or three of these national windows.
Why the Schedule Matters So Much This Year
People are searching for are yankees on tv today because the 2026 schedule is unusually front-loaded with drama.
Starting the season in San Francisco is a rare West Coast opener for the Pinstripes. It’s a 10:00 PM ET start for those of us on the East Coast. You’ll probably need a lot of coffee for that one. Then they head to Seattle before finally coming back to the Bronx for the home opener against the Miami Marlins on April 3.
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There's also the World Baseball Classic (WBC) factor this spring. Because the WBC is happening in March 2026, some of your favorite Yankees won't even be in Tampa for parts of Spring Training. They'll be playing in Miami or Houston representing their home countries. This means the "Yankees" you see on TV in early March might be a collection of Triple-A players and non-roster invitees.
How to watch if you're out of market
If you don't live in the New York tri-state area, your best bet is still MLB.tv. Just remember the blackout rules are still as frustrating as ever. If the Yankees are playing a team in your local area (like if you live in Florida and they play the Rays), the game will be blacked out on the app and you’ll have to find the local cable feed.
For the cord-cutters, Gotham Sports is the direct-to-consumer app that lets you stream YES Network without a cable box. It's pricey, but it's basically the only way to stay legal if you've ditched Comcast or Spectrum.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the Yankees aren't on TV with a live game today, here is how you can prepare for the upcoming season so you don't miss the first pitch in February:
- Check your Netflix subscription: Since the March 25th season opener is exclusive to Netflix, make sure your login actually works. Don't be the person resetting their password while Aaron Judge is stepping into the box for his first at-bat.
- Sync your digital calendar: Go to the official Yankees website or the MLB app and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. This will automatically populate your phone with game times and broadcast info as they are updated.
- Download the Gotham Sports App: If you plan on streaming locally in NY, set up your account now. They often have "pre-season" promos in January that are cheaper than the Opening Day rates.
- Watch the "Hot Stove" on YES: If you need a fix today, the 6:00 PM or 10:00 PM loops of Yankees Hot Stove will give you the latest updates on the Ryan Weathers trade and how the rotation is shaping up behind Gerrit Cole.
The wait for live baseball is almost over. We're less than 35 days away from seeing actual highlights from Steinbrenner Field. For today, grab a hoodie, put on a replay of a 2025 win, and start counting down to Spring Training.