You’re probably staring at your phone, thumbing through sports apps, wondering why the hell the TV listings are looking so empty. If you're looking for what time does the twins game start today, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a bummer.
There is no game. Not today.
Honestly, it’s January 16, 2026. If the Minnesota Twins were playing a meaningful game of baseball in Minneapolis right now, the outfielders would be wearing parkas and the "Boys of Summer" would be the "Boys of Frostbite." Target Field is currently a very expensive, very beautiful snow globe.
When do the Twins actually play?
We are deep in the heart of the MLB offseason. While the front office is busy tinkering with the roster and fans are arguing on Reddit about whether we need another starter or more bullpen depth, the actual players are mostly training in warmer climates or spending time with their families.
The wait isn't forever, though. We’re actually getting pretty close to the good stuff. Here is the reality of the 2026 schedule:
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- Spring Training Kickoff: The Twins officially start their exhibition schedule on Friday, February 20, 2026. That first game is the annual tradition against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers.
- The Grapefruit League Opener: If you want to see them play another MLB team, mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, 2026, when they host the Boston Red Sox.
- Opening Day 2026: This is the big one. The regular season starts earlier than ever this year. The Twins open on the road against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Breaking down the 2026 schedule
Since you’re already looking for game times, you’re clearly a die-hard. It’s worth noting that the 2026 season is going to be a bit of a marathon right out of the gate. Because Opening Day is so early (the earliest traditional start in history, excluding international games), the Twins are bracing for a chilly April.
They play 17 home games at Target Field in April alone. If you're planning on going to the home opener on April 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays, you better bring your heavy-duty flannel.
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One really cool thing about the 2026 schedule is the Field of Dreams game. In August, the Twins are slated to head to Iowa to play the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s one of those "bucket list" games that basically every baseball fan tries to snag tickets for the second they go on sale.
Why the January confusion?
It’s easy to get turned around with dates, especially if you’re seeing headlines about "Twins" in the news.
Right now, the LG Twins (a KBO team in South Korea) are often in the news for their spring camp preparations, which often start in January. They’re actually heading to Okinawa soon for their fan delegation events. But for the Minnesota variety? It's strictly hot stove talk and trade rumors for now.
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What to do while you wait for February
Since you can't watch a game today, you've gotta find other ways to get your fix.
- Check the 40-man roster. The team is still making moves. Keeping an eye on the waiver wire is the only "game" in town in January.
- Plan your Fort Myers trip. If you can't wait until April for a home game, Spring Training in Florida is the way to go. Games usually start at 1:05 PM ET (12:05 PM CT), which is much better than shivering in a Minnesota January.
- Sync your calendar. Most major sports sites have the 2026 schedule available for download now. Pop it into your Google Calendar so you never have to search for a start time again.
Baseball is a game of patience, and January is the ultimate test of that. We’ve got about a month left until the "pop" of the catcher's mitt returns to our lives.
Grab the MLB At Bat app and set your notifications for Spring Training. By the time late February rolls around, you'll have more 1:05 PM start times than you know what to do with.