If you're like most Braves fans, you probably spent a good chunk of the winter staring at the calendar, waiting for the crack of the bat to return to Cobb County. Honestly, after the way 2025 wrapped up—a 76-86 finish and the end of the Brian Snitker era—we’re all basically itching for a fresh start. The 2026 season isn't just another 162-game grind; it's the 60th anniversary of the team in Atlanta and the 150th anniversary of the franchise overall.
There’s a lot of change in the air. Walt Weiss is at the helm now. Robert Suarez is in the pen. And for once, we don’t have to wait for a road trip to see the season begin.
The Atlanta Braves home schedule for 2026 is officially out, and it’s a weird, beautiful mix of traditional rivalries and some honestly surprising Interleague matchups. If you're planning your summer around Truist Park, here is what the landscape looks like.
Opening Weekend: A Change of Plans
Everything starts with the Kansas City Royals. Originally, we were looking at a Thursday start, but the schedule makers shifted things.
Opening Day is now Friday, March 27, 2026. The first pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. under the lights. It’s only the third time Truist Park has hosted an opener since it opened its doors. Expect the Georgia Lottery fireworks to be extra loud that night. After the Royals leave town, we go straight into a three-game set with the Athletics (who are playing their ball in Sacramento this year) from March 30 to April 1. It’s a heavy dose of American League action right out of the gate.
✨ Don't miss: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre los próximos partidos de selección de fútbol de jamaica
The Rivalry Weekend and the Red Sox
MLB is doing this "Rivalry Weekend" thing again from May 15 to 17. For the Braves, that means the Boston Red Sox are coming to town.
Because of the balanced schedule, we play almost every AL team once, but Boston is the exception. They are our "designated rival" for 2026. We get them for three games at home in mid-May, and then the boys head up to Fenway Park about ten days later. If you’re a fan of the old-school Boston Braves history, this is the series to circle.
Summer Holidays at Truist Park
There is something about July 4th in the South that just hits differently. This year, the Braves are hosting the New York Mets for Independence Day.
Actually, the holiday schedule is pretty solid for home games this season:
🔗 Read more: Listen to Dodger Game: How to Catch Every Pitch Without a Cable Bill
- Mother’s Day: The Braves are away (at Pittsburgh), so plan your brunch accordingly.
- Memorial Day Weekend: The Washington Nationals come to town (May 22-24). Note that there actually isn’t a game on Memorial Day itself (May 25), as the team hits the road.
- Father’s Day: A perfect June 21 matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Independence Day: The Mets. Expect The Battery to be absolutely packed.
The Return of Freddie and the Late Summer Push
Mark your calendars for August 25 to 27. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in town. Even though it's been years, the "return of Freddie Freeman" still carries a certain weight in this stadium. It’s usually one of the most expensive tickets of the year, so if you’re looking for seats, you’ve gotta move fast.
One oddity in the 2026 schedule is the MLB Little League Classic. On Sunday, August 23, the Braves will play the Brewers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While technically an "away" experience for the fans in Atlanta, it’s a massive national spotlight game at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
That Brutal September Stretch
If the Braves are in a tight race for the NL East come September, things are going to get tense.
The team plays 15 of its final 24 games on the road. That’s a lot of travel during the most important month of the year. The final homestand at Truist Park happens from September 22 to 24 against the Cincinnati Reds.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
After that, the regular season ends on the road in Miami. It's a bit of a bummer not to finish at home, but that final series against the Marlins (Sept 25-27) could determine everything if the division is as close as people expect.
Planning Your Visit: What to Know
If you're heading to a game, the logistical side has changed a bit. Single-game tickets for the home opener went on sale January 15, 2026.
Prices for "marquee" games—like the Mets on July 4th or the Red Sox in May—are already trending higher on secondary markets like SeatGeek and Ticketmaster. If you're trying to save a buck, those midweek afternoon games, like the April 1st series finale against the Athletics (12:15 p.m.), are usually your best bet for cheaper tickets and less traffic.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Ballpark App: Start times for many games are still being finalized, and the MLB Ballpark app is the only place that stays updated in real-time.
- Plan for The Battery: With the 60th-anniversary celebrations, the Braves are holding "Braves Fest" events and special historical exhibits throughout the season. Arrive at least three hours before first pitch if you want to see the Hank Aaron displays in Monument Garden without a massive crowd.
- Monitor the Bullpen: Keep an eye on Robert Suarez’s usage early in the season. With a new manager in Walt Weiss, how the back end of the game is handled will be the biggest story of the first home stand.
The 2026 season feels like a crossroads. Whether the veteran core can bounce back under new leadership or if the 150th year of the franchise is just a celebration of the past remains to be seen. Either way, Truist Park is the place to be.