If you're waking up today, January 18, 2026, and itching to see Riley Greene or Tarik Skubal back on the mound, I've got a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation for you. The bad news? It’s mid-January. Snow is likely on the ground in Michigan, and the crack of the bat is still a few weeks away. There is no live Detroit Tigers game today because we are firmly in the deep freeze of the MLB offseason.
But don't bail yet.
Honestly, the landscape for watching the Tigers has changed so much recently that if you wait until Opening Day to figure out your setup, you're going to miss the first pitch. Between the rebranding of regional networks and new streaming partnerships, finding what channel is the detroit tigers game on today isn't as simple as just hitting channel 37 on your old box anymore.
When Does the Action Actually Start?
We are currently in that weird limbo where pitchers and catchers are just starting to pack their bags for Lakeland. If you’re looking for the first "real" date to circle on your calendar, mark down February 21, 2026. That’s when the Tigers officially kick off their Spring Training schedule against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Spring training is kinda the Wild West of broadcasting. You won't find every single game on TV. Usually, the "big" matchups or home games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium get the cameras, while others are radio-only.
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For the regular season, everything changes on March 26, 2026. That’s Opening Day. The Tigers are starting on the road this year against the San Diego Padres. It’s a late-afternoon start for us in the Eastern Time Zone, and that is when the "where do I watch this?" panic usually hits the group chat.
The New Home: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
If you’ve been looking for "Bally Sports Detroit," you can stop. It’s gone. Basically, the network has been rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. Same talent, same local focus, but a different logo in the corner of your screen.
This is your primary answer for what channel is the detroit tigers game on today once the season starts. They carry almost every single one of the 162 games, barring the few times ESPN or FOX decides to swoop in and take a game for a national broadcast.
How to get FanDuel Sports Network
- Traditional Cable/Satellite: Most local providers like Xfinity (usually on the Ultimate TV package), Spectrum, and WOW! still carry it. On DIRECTV, you’re usually looking at channel 664.
- The Streaming Route: This is where people get confused. Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM are the two big players here. If you have YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you’re out of luck for local Tigers games. They haven't carried the local RSN (Regional Sports Network) in years.
- The Amazon Prime Twist: This is new and actually pretty cool. In 2026, you can get FanDuel Sports Network as an add-on "channel" directly inside Amazon Prime Video. If you already live in the Tigers' broadcast territory, you can just pay the monthly fee (usually around $20) and stream it through the Prime app without a bulky cable package.
What Channel Is The Detroit Tigers Game On Today if You Live Outside Michigan?
Living in Toledo? You're probably fine. Living in Chicago or Florida? That’s a different story. If you are "out-of-market," meaning you don’t live in the zip codes claimed by the Detroit broadcast region, your best friend is MLB.TV.
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It’s the gold standard for out-of-state fans. You get every single out-of-market game live. The catch? Blackouts. If you’re in Detroit and try to use MLB.TV to watch the Tigers, you’ll just see a "this game is restricted" screen. It’s annoying, but it’s how the contracts are built.
For the 2026 season, MLB.TV is also available as an add-on through Prime Video, which keeps all your sports in one spot. It’s pretty seamless.
National Broadcasts: The Exceptions
Every now and then, the Tigers play well enough to get the national spotlight. When that happens, FanDuel Sports Network gets bumped. You'll need to check:
- FOX / FS1: Usually for Saturday afternoon or evening "Baseballs Night in America" games.
- ESPN: For Sunday Night Baseball.
- Apple TV+: They still have their "Friday Night Baseball" exclusive doubleheaders. If the Tigers are on Apple TV+, they won't be on your local cable channel. You have to use the app.
- The Roku Channel: Some Sunday morning games have migrated here recently as well.
Don't Forget the Radio
There’s something about Tigers baseball on the radio that just feels right. Maybe it’s the nostalgia. Maybe it’s just Dan Dickerson’s voice.
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If you can’t get to a TV, the Tigers Radio Network is massive. In Detroit, it’s 97.1 The Ticket. They have affiliates all over the state, from WQBX in Alma to WSOO in Sault Ste. Marie. If you're out of the car, you can stream the radio broadcast through the MLB app (usually requires a small monthly "At Bat" subscription, but it’s worth it for no blackouts on audio).
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a game on the tube this second, here is how you should prepare so you aren't scrambling in March:
- Check your current provider: If you have YouTube TV, start looking into the Amazon Prime FanDuel add-on or switching to Fubo before March 26.
- Download the MLB App: Even the free version is great for tracking scores and watching "condensed games" (8-minute recaps) the morning after.
- Verify your region: If you're on the border of Tigers/Guardians territory, use a tool like "GetMyHomeTeams.com" to see exactly which RSN you’re supposed to get.
- Sync the schedule: Go to the official Tigers website and "Download to Calendar." It’ll put every game time and potential TV station directly onto your phone.
Watching baseball shouldn't feel like a chore, but the "streaming wars" have definitely made it more complex. Stick with FanDuel Sports Network for the bulk of the season, and keep an eye on Apple TV+ for those random Friday nights.