Baseball in February just hits different. You’ve got that crisp Florida air, the smell of fresh-cut grass at CoolToday Park, and the sound of a 98-mph heater finally popping a mitt after a long winter. Honestly, the braves baseball spring training schedule for 2026 is a breath of fresh air for a fan base that’s still processing a weird, injury-riddled 76-win season.
There's a lot of "new" this year. New manager. New pitching coach. New faces in the bullpen. But the ritual remains the same. The quest to reclaim the NL East starts in North Port.
The 2026 Schedule Breakdown
Everything kicks off on Saturday, February 21, with a road trip to Port Charlotte to face the Rays. If you’re a home-opener purist, circle Sunday, February 22. That's when the Minnesota Twins come to town for a 1:05 PM first pitch.
The Braves are playing 31 exhibition games total this spring. 16 of those are at home in North Port.
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Key Dates for Your Calendar
- February 10: Pitchers and catchers report.
- February 15: First full-squad workout (the day things get real).
- March 4: Team Colombia visits for a special exhibition game before the World Baseball Classic.
- March 21: The "Spring Breakout" game. This is where the top prospects head to Tampa to play the Yankees’ kids. Keep an eye on Drake Baldwin here.
- March 24: The spring finale against the Rays.
Most games are scheduled for 1:05 PM, which is basically the law in the Grapefruit League. However, keep an eye on a few night games. On Friday, March 6, the Braves play under the lights at the Lee Health Sports Complex against the Twins. There’s also a 6:05 PM home game against the Red Sox on Saturday, March 14.
Life Under Walt Weiss
This isn't Brian Snitker’s camp anymore. Sorta. "Snit" is still around in an advisory role, but Walt Weiss is the man in the dugout now. It’s the first big shift in leadership we’ve seen in years.
Weiss isn’t alone, either. The Braves brought in Jeremy Hefner from the Mets to lead the pitching staff. That’s a move that had industry experts talking all winter. Hefner has a reputation for being a "pitcher’s whisperer," and with guys like Spencer Strider coming off a bumpy 2025, that hire is massive.
The core is still here, though. Ronald Acuña Jr. is healthy and looking like his MVP self. Matt Olson and Austin Riley are anchored at the corners. But there's a different energy this year—a sense of urgency that maybe was missing a year ago.
Getting Your Tickets
If you’re planning a trip, don't wait. Single-game tickets went on sale back in November. Prices usually start around $29 for the berm (the grass area in left field), but for the big matchups—think Yankees or Red Sox—you’re looking at $50 or $60 easily.
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CoolToday Park Tips:
If you go, you basically have to visit the Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill. It’s open year-round, but it’s the place to be during games. Try the Kitchen Sink Nachos. They’re exactly what they sound like and probably enough to feed a family of four.
The stadium itself is state-of-the-art. It's got 360-degree concourses, so you can walk around and never lose sight of the field. Parking is included in the ticket price for cars, which is a nice touch you don't see often at pro stadiums anymore.
How to Watch If You Can't Make the Trip
Not everyone can ditch work for a week in North Port. I get it.
The broadcast situation has changed a bit. Bally Sports is now FanDuel Sports Network. They’re expected to air at least seven spring games. If you’re in "Braves Country," you can also catch about 10 games on Gray Media stations (like Peachtree TV in Atlanta).
For the radio crowd, 680 The Fan remains the home of the Braves. Ben Ingram on the call while you're working in the yard is the peak spring training experience.
Roster Battles to Watch
The starting lineup is mostly set, but the fringes are where the drama lives.
- The Fifth Starter: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Spencer Schwellenbach are the locks. That leaves Reynaldo Lopez and Hurston Waldrep battling for the final spots. Don't sleep on Grant Holmes, either.
- The Bench: Mauricio Dubón is the new "Swiss Army Knife." He’s going to play everywhere. The real battle is for the last one or two spots between guys like Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Eli White.
- The Bullpen: This unit looks scary on paper. Adding Robert Suarez to a back end that already has Raisel Iglesias is a bold move by Alex Anthopoulos.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're serious about following the braves baseball spring training schedule, here is what you should do right now:
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- Check Availability: Head to the official Braves website or a secondary market like SeatGeek to see which home games still have grandstand seating.
- Plan Your Route: If you’re staying in Sarasota or Venice, remember that traffic on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) can be brutal during "Season" in Florida. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes.
- Sync Your Calendar: Download the MLB At Bat app and favorite the Braves. It will automatically update with game times and broadcast info as the season approaches.
- Book Your Hotel: If you aren't staying in a rental, the Hampton Inn & Suites North Port is the closest major hotel to the complex. It fills up fast with scouts and die-hard fans.
The 2026 season feels like a redemption tour. It all starts with a bus ride to Port Charlotte on February 21. See you at the ballpark.