If you’re anything like me, the sound of a baseball hitting a mitt is basically the official "all-clear" signal that winter is finally losing its grip. For those of us who bleed navy and red, that sound happens in North Port, Florida. Honestly, the spring training schedule for Atlanta Braves fans is less of a calendar and more of a pilgrimage map.
The 2026 slate is officially out, and it’s a bit of a marathon. We are looking at 31 games in total. It all kicks off on February 21, 2026. If you're planning to head down to CoolToday Park, you've gotta move fast because things are changing this year, especially with the World Baseball Classic (WBC) looming in the background.
The 2026 Season Kickoff: Dates You Can't Forget
The Braves start their 2026 Grapefruit League journey on the road. On Saturday, February 21, they head over to Port Charlotte to face the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. It’s a short drive, but a big deal.
But the real party? That’s Sunday, February 22.
That is the home opener at CoolToday Park. The Minnesota Twins are coming to town for a 1:05 PM first pitch. If you haven't been to North Port yet, the atmosphere is just... different. It’s intimate. You can actually hear the players joking around in the dugout.
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CoolToday Park: The 2026 Home Slate
The Braves are playing 16 home games this year. That’s a lot of opportunities to grab a beer at the Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill behind left field. Here is the meat of the home schedule:
- February 22: Minnesota Twins (The Home Opener)
- February 24: Detroit Tigers
- February 25: Pittsburgh Pirates
- February 27: Boston Red Sox
- March 1: Tampa Bay Rays
- March 4: Team Colombia (Exhibition Game)
- March 5: Toronto Blue Jays
- March 7: Baltimore Orioles
- March 9: Minnesota Twins
- March 11: Tampa Bay Rays
- March 13: New York Yankees
- March 14: Boston Red Sox (6:05 PM Night Game!)
- March 16: Tampa Bay Rays
- March 18: Philadelphia Phillies
- March 20: Pittsburgh Pirates (6:05 PM)
- March 24: Tampa Bay Rays (The Finale)
Most of these games start at 1:05 PM, which is perfect for working on that Florida tan, but notice those two 6:05 PM starts in March. Night games in spring training are a total vibe. The air cools down, the lights look sharper, and it feels a lot more like a "real" October game.
The World Baseball Classic Twist
Something most people aren't talking about enough is the March 4 matchup. The Braves aren't playing another MLB team that day. They are hosting Team Colombia.
Why? Because the 2026 World Baseball Classic is happening. This exhibition game is basically a "tune-up" for Colombia before they head into tournament play. It’s a rare chance to see international talent on the North Port dirt. You might see some familiar faces playing for their home countries instead of wearing the "A," which is always a little surreal to watch.
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Getting Your Hands on Tickets
Look, tickets for the spring training schedule for Atlanta Braves games aren't as cheap as they used to be, but they’re still accessible. Prices generally start around $29 for the berm (the grass area where you can sprawl out) and go up from there.
If you want a seat in the shade—and trust me, you do—you’ll be looking at more like $45 to $60 for most weekend games. The Yankees and Red Sox games always sell out first. If you're eyeing the March 13 game against the Bronx Bombers, buy them yesterday.
Pro Tip for the Budget Traveler
If you want the experience without the "Yankee Tax," look at the Tuesday or Wednesday games against the Pirates or Rays. The crowds are thinner, the tickets are cheaper, and the players are just as accessible.
Beyond the Game: Welcome Week 2026
The Braves have turned the week leading up to the opener into a full-blown festival. It’s called Welcome Week, and it starts way back on February 14.
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- February 14: Open House at the stadium. You can watch open workouts on the main field for free. There’s also a "Meet Loaf" tribute concert at 7:00 PM because... Florida.
- February 15: The Cosmic Beer Run. It’s a 5K where you get a beer after every lap. I don't know who came up with this, but they deserve a raise.
- Daily: Open workouts. Usually, the "Green Gate" opens around 9:00 AM. You can stand right along the fence and watch the pitchers throw bullpens. This is the best time to snag an autograph. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are usually pretty good about signing if you’re patient and polite.
Why This Schedule Matters for the Regular Season
Spring training is basically a giant laboratory. You aren't just watching the stars; you're watching the "Spring Breakout" game on March 21. That's when the Braves' top prospects take on the Yankees' top prospects.
This is where you see the next Austin Riley or Michael Harris II before they become household names. Keep an eye on the innings pitched by the starters in late March. By the time we hit that final game against the Rays on March 24, the regulars will be playing 7 or 8 innings, and the intensity shifts.
The Braves break camp right after that March 24 game and head back to Atlanta. They open the regular season at Truist Park against the Kansas City Royals.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're actually going to pull the trigger on a trip this year, here is your checklist:
- Book your hotel in Venice or Sarasota now. North Port is growing, but hotel inventory is still tight. Most fans stay in Venice (15 mins away) or Port Charlotte.
- Check the split-squad dates. On March 1 and March 9, the Braves play two games at once in different cities. If you want to see the "A-Team," check which squad is staying in North Port.
- Hydrate. It sounds like a cliché, but the Florida sun in March hits different when you’ve been in a cubicle in Atlanta for six months.
- Arrive for workouts. The game is only half the fun. Getting to the back fields by 9:30 AM is where the real baseball nerds hang out.
The spring training schedule for Atlanta Braves baseball is finally here. It’s the reset button we all need. See you at the Tiki Bar.