So, you’re looking for the Yankees game. I get it. You've got the snacks ready, the remote in hand, and you're scrolling through the guide only to find... nothing. Well, there's a very simple, albeit slightly annoying, reason for that.
What channel is the yankees game on today? The short answer is: none of them. Honestly, if you're looking for a live game today, January 13, 2026, you're about a month too early for even the first pitch of Spring Training.
Baseball is a long-haul sport, but the "haul" hasn't quite started yet. While the stove is definitely hot with trade rumors and free-agent drama, the actual diamonds in the Bronx and Tampa are currently empty.
The 2026 Yankees Broadcast Landscape
When the season actually kicks off, things are going to look a bit different than you remember. The biggest shakeup for 2026 is that NBC is officially back in the baseball business. After a long hiatus, they've grabbed a significant chunk of the national broadcasting rights, which means you'll be seeing the Pinstripes on the Peacock network more often this year.
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For the vast majority of games—especially the ones during the week—your go-to is still going to be the YES Network. They still hold the local rights for nearly all regular-season matchups. If you're in the New York market, that’s your home base. If you've cut the cord, you're likely looking at the YES App, which has become surprisingly stable lately, though it still has its "why is this buffering?" moments.
Where to Watch When the Season Starts
- YES Network: The primary home for local broadcasts. Expect Michael Kay and the crew (including David Cone, who is reportedly calling even more games this year after leaving ESPN) to handle about 125–130 games.
- NBC and Peacock: This is the new kid on the block for 2026. NBC has a "Sunday Night Baseball" package now, along with "MLB Sunday Leadoff" on Peacock.
- FOX and FS1: They still have their "Game of the Week" on Saturdays.
- Amazon Prime: Friday night games have largely migrated here for the local New York market. It’s a bit of a hassle to switch apps, but the 4K stream quality usually makes up for it.
- Apple TV+: The "Friday Night Baseball" doubleheaders aren't going anywhere.
Basically, the "what channel" question depends entirely on the day of the week.
Why There Is No Game Today
It’s mid-January. In New York, it’s freezing. In Tampa, the players are just starting to pack their bags. The MLB lockout scares of years past are thankfully behind us, but the calendar is still the calendar.
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The Yankees won't actually take the field for a meaningful game until March 25, 2026. That is going to be a massive "Opening Night" standalone game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. It’s the earliest Opening Day in history, which is kind of wild when you think about how cold some of those April games usually are.
If you’re desperate for Yankees content right now, you’re mostly looking at the YES Network's "Hot Stove" shows or scouring Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it today) for news on the Cody Bellinger contract standoff. As of this morning, January 13, the Yankees and Bellinger are reportedly stuck in a stalemate over contract length. Brian Cashman is playing hardball, and Scott Boras is... well, being Scott Boras.
Key Dates for the 2026 Yankees Season
Since you can't watch a game today, you might as well mark your calendar for when you actually can.
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The first time you'll be able to see the Yankees on TV is February 20, 2026. That’s the Spring Training opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Those games are usually on YES, though sometimes they’re just a single-camera feed if it’s an away game.
- February 20: Spring Training Opener (at Orioles)
- March 25: Opening Night (at Giants) - Expect this to be a national broadcast, likely on ESPN or NBC.
- April 3: Home Opener at Yankee Stadium vs. Miami Marlins.
- May 15-17: Rivalry Weekend (Subway Series at Citi Field).
- July 14: All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
The Streaming Struggle
The biggest complaint fans have lately isn't the team's batting average—it's the "where is the game?" shuffle. In 2026, the fragmentation is real. You might need four different subscriptions just to watch a full week of baseball.
If you are an out-of-market fan, MLB.tv is still your best bet, but keep in mind that the national exclusive games (like the ones on Apple TV+ or the new NBC Sunday night games) will still be blacked out there. It’s a headache, truly. Even the local fans have to deal with the "blackout" rules that feel like they were written in 1950.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a game on the channel today, here is what you should actually do to prepare for the season:
- Check your YES App login: If you haven't used it since last October, your password probably needs an update. Do it now so you aren't screaming at your phone on Opening Night.
- Sync your calendar: Most major sports apps allow you to "Sync to Calendar." Do this for the 2026 schedule so the "what channel" question is answered by a notification on your wrist 30 minutes before first pitch.
- Audit your subscriptions: Do you actually have Peacock? NBC is leaning hard into it for 2026. If you want those Sunday morning or Sunday night games, you're going to need it.
- Watch the "Hot Stove": If you really need a Yankees fix today, YES Network usually runs their off-season programming in the evenings. It’s not a live game, but hearing Michael Kay talk about potential trades is the next best thing in the dead of winter.
The wait is almost over. We’re only about five weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Tampa. Until then, stay warm and keep an eye on those Bellinger rumors.