Look, I get it. You woke up, saw the calendar says Sunday, and your brain immediately went into "where's the chop?" mode. We've all been there. You're ready to see if Riley is going deep or if the bullpen can actually hold a lead for once. But if you’re looking for the Atlanta Braves on your TV screen today, January 18, 2026, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a buzzkill.
The short answer? No. The Atlanta Braves are not playing a baseball game today.
Basically, it’s the middle of January. Unless the climate has shifted so much that we’re playing through snowdrifts in Cumberland, there isn't a Major League game happening anywhere. Baseball is still tucked away in its winter hibernation. However, if you're seeing "Braves" on your TV guide right now, you aren't hallucinating—you're just looking at the wrong sport.
The "Braves" Confusion: Why Your Guide Says Yes
If you scroll through your sports channels today, specifically ESPN+, you might actually see a game listed for the "Braves." Don't get too excited. That’s the Bradley Braves (the college hoops team out of Peoria) taking on the Northern Iowa Panthers.
They’re tipping off at 3 p.m. ET. It’s a solid Missouri Valley Conference matchup, and honestly, if you’re desperate for a competitive fix, it’s a decent watch. But it’s definitely not the team that plays at Truist Park.
When Does the Real Action Start?
We aren't as far off as it feels. The 2026 MLB season is actually going to be historic because it's starting earlier than ever. Major League Baseball officially scheduled Opening Day for March 26, 2026.
The Braves are opening up at home this year. That’s a big deal because they haven't done that much lately. They’ll be hosting the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. If you’re a planner, mark your calendar for that Thursday afternoon.
- Spring Training: Pitchers and catchers usually report in mid-February (around Valentine's Day—sorry, spouses).
- First Spring Game: Expect televised Grapefruit League action by the last week of February.
- Opening Night: The Giants and Yankees actually play a standalone game on March 25, but the Braves' real campaign kicks off the next day.
The TV Situation is Kinda Messy
The way we watch the Braves is changing, and honestly, it’s a bit of a headache to keep track of. Gone are the days when every single game was just "on TBS" or a single regional network without a second thought.
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For 2026, the TV landscape for Atlanta fans is split between a few different places. You've still got the regional broadcasts—now under the FanDuel Sports Network (the rebranded Bally Sports)—which handles the vast majority of the 162-game slog. If you’re in the Atlanta market, that’s your bread and butter.
But here’s the kicker for 2026: NBC is back in the baseball business. The Braves are already slated for at least four major national broadcasts on NBC and Peacock this season. They’ve got a Sunday Night Baseball slot against the Phillies on April 19 that’s going to be a Peacock exclusive (with a simulcast on the revived NBCSN). Then there’s the big "Star-Spangled Sunday" on July 5 against the Mets. Basically, you're going to need about three different apps just to see the division race unfold.
Recent News That Actually Matters Today
Even though there isn't a game on TV today, the Braves made some massive (and frankly, depressing) news this morning.
The team announced today, January 18, that their big offseason acquisition, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, just had surgery in Atlanta. He tore a tendon in his middle finger while training in Korea. He’s out for 4 to 5 months.
That basically means the "Is the Braves game on TV today?" question in April might be answered with a lot of Mauricio Dubón at shortstop instead of the star we just paid $20 million. It's just classic Braves injury luck. It feels like every time we get a shiny new piece, the universe decides to balance the scales by breaking a finger or an ACL.
How to Get Your Fix Right Now
Since you can't watch a live game today, what are you supposed to do?
- Check the Archives: MLB.tv usually has "Big Inning" or classic game replays running this time of year.
- Braves Fest: Keep an eye out for the end of the month. Braves Fest at Truist Park is usually where the hype starts to get real again.
- Check the College Slate: If you really just want to see the name "Braves" on a jersey, tune into that Bradley vs. UNI game on ESPN+.
The countdown to March 26 is officially on. We're about 67 days away from meaningful baseball. It’s cold, the NFL playoffs are taking up all the oxygen (Texans vs. Patriots and Rams vs. Bears are the big ones today), but Spring Training is closer than you think.
Go ahead and double-check your streaming subscriptions now. Between FanDuel Sports, NBC, Peacock, and the occasional Apple TV+ Friday night game, 2026 is going to be a scavenger hunt for fans. But hey, that's the price we pay to watch Acuña and the boys chase another ring.
What to do next
Verify your local cable or streaming provider carries FanDuel Sports Network South or Southeast, as several carriers have shifted their sports tiers for the 2026 season. If you're out of market, now is the time to look for MLB.tv "Early Bird" pricing before the February spike.