Everything feels different in Birdland lately. It wasn’t long ago we were just happy to see Camden Yards half-full on a Tuesday. Now? People are refreshing their browsers for the Baltimore Orioles game schedule like it’s a playoff ticket drop. The 2026 season is actually historic for one weird reason: it’s the earliest traditional Opening Day in the history of the sport.
Forget April. We’re talking March baseball in Baltimore.
The Orioles officially kick things off at home on Thursday, March 26, 2026, against the Minnesota Twins. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble with the Mid-Atlantic weather—you might need a parka under your Gunnar Henderson jersey—but the energy is going to be electric.
The Homestand That Starts It All
Most people assume the O's always start on the road because of some weird scheduling voodoo, but 2026 flips the script. We get a six-game opening homestand. After the Twins series (March 26–29), the Texas Rangers roll into town from March 30 to April 1.
If you’re planning to take off work for the home opener, keep in mind there’s a built-in off day on Friday, March 27. MLB does this just in case the Baltimore clouds decide to open up on Thursday. It’s basically a "rain insurance" day.
Early Season Road Trips
Once that first week is done, the guys hit the road.
- Pittsburgh (April 3–5): A quick hop over to PNC Park.
- Chicago (April 6–8): Facing the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
It’s a heavy dose of non-division opponents to start the year. In fact, you won’t see an AL East rival at Camden Yards until nearly May. That’s a massive shift from the old days where we’d beat up on (or get beaten up by) the Yankees or Sox in week one.
Why the AL East Schedule Looks So Weird
MLB changed the scheduling balanced-play rules a couple of years ago, and we’re seeing the full effect in 2026. The Baltimore Orioles game schedule now features only 13 games against each divisional opponent.
We don't play a division rival on the road until the first week of May when the team heads to the Bronx. That May 1–4 series against the Yankees is going to be the first real litmus test. Are the O's still the kings of the East? We'll find out then.
Key Divisional Series to Circle
- Boston Red Sox: They finally show up in Baltimore April 24–26.
- Toronto Blue Jays: A massive four-game set at home May 28–31.
- Tampa Bay Rays: The O's host them for a holiday showdown on Memorial Day, May 25.
The schedule makers definitely wanted to keep the divisional drama for the "heat of the summer" and the final stretch. Twelve of the last 22 games of the season are against the AL East. It’s going to be a bloodbath in September.
Interleague Play: The "Battle of the Beltways" and More
The 2026 season is the 250th anniversary of American independence. Because of that, the All-Star Game is in Philly, and the schedule is packed with regional "Rivalry Weekend" matchups.
May 15–17 is when the O's head down to D.C. to play the Nationals. The Nats then come to Baltimore for the return leg from June 26–28. If you’ve never done the "Beltway Series," do it. The stadiums are only 40 miles apart, and the fan crossover is hilarious.
Other National League teams visiting Camden Yards this year:
- San Francisco Giants: April 10–12
- Arizona Diamondbacks: April 13–15
- Atlanta Braves: July 24–26
- Philadelphia Phillies: July 31–August 2
- Milwaukee Brewers: September 18–20
The Brewers series is actually the final home series of the regular season. If the wildcard race is tight, that weekend in mid-September is going to be stressful.
Surviving the "West Coast Grind"
Every year, O's fans dread the West Coast trip. Staying up until 1:00 AM to watch a game in Seattle is a rite of passage, but it's brutal for the internal clock.
In 2026, the longest slog happens in June. The team travels to Seattle, Los Angeles, and Anaheim for a nine-game trip from June 16–24. There's another heavy road stretch in August, covering Texas, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay.
Interestingly, there’s a weird quirk in late August. The O's go on a 10-day trip that hits St. Louis, Sacramento (where the A's are currently playing), and Colorado. That Sacramento stop is going to be tiny—Sutter Health Park only holds about 14,000 people. It’ll feel like a high-end minor league game, which is kinda cool if you’re a traveling fan.
Holiday Baseball at Camden Yards
There's nothing quite like a holiday game. The 2026 Baltimore Orioles game schedule treats us to three big ones at home:
- Mother’s Day (May 10): vs. Oakland Athletics
- Memorial Day (May 25): vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Labor Day (Sept 7): vs. Cleveland Guardians
Fourth of July is an "away" holiday this year. The O's will be in Brooklyn (well, playing the Mets at Citi Field) on July 3-5. Honestly, watching fireworks over the NYC skyline isn't a bad consolation prize if you're looking for a summer road trip.
📖 Related: Start Em Sit Em Week 7: Why Your Fantasy Football Matchup is a Trap
Final Stretch: The Bronx Finale
The season ends on September 27, 2026.
And where are the Orioles? In New York. Of course.
Ending the season with a three-game series at Yankee Stadium is either going to be a victory lap or a heart-pounding battle for the division title. There is no in-between. The last time the O's played at home before that finale is the September 18-20 series against the Brewers, followed by a midweek series against the Blue Jays.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Times: While the dates are set, MLB often tweaks start times for national broadcasts (like Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN or the Peacock Sunday Leadoff games). Always double-check the "official" time 48 hours before first pitch.
- Plan the Sacramento Trip: If you want to see the O's in an intimate setting, the August 28–30 series at Sutter Health Park is a rare opportunity before the A's eventually move to Vegas.
- Weather Prep: For that March 26 opener, remember that Camden Yards is right on the water. It feels 10 degrees colder in the stands than it does in the parking lot. Layer up.
- Sync Your Calendar: Most fans use the MLB app to auto-sync the schedule, but be careful with time zone changes if you're traveling. The "Rivalry Weekend" in D.C. (May 15) usually sells out fast because of the proximity, so grab those tickets the second they go on sale to the public.