So, you’re looking for the channel. You’ve scrolled through the guide, checked the usual sports apps, and probably wondered if your cable provider is glitching again. Honestly, the answer to what channel phillies game today is actually pretty simple, but it’s not exactly what a die-hard fan wants to hear on a Saturday in mid-January.
There isn't a game.
Yeah, it’s January 17, 2026. If you’re seeing the Phillies' name pop up on your TV schedule right now, you’re likely looking at a replay of a 2025 postseason heartbreaker or maybe a "classic" game from the 2008 run. While the Philadelphia Flyers are actually hitting the ice today against the Rangers over at the Wells Fargo Center, the guys at Citizens Bank Park are still mostly in "Hot Stove" mode, probably working out in warmer climates or waiting for their agents to finish haggling over contract extensions.
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Why the Phillies Aren't on TV Today
We are currently in the deep freeze of the MLB offseason. Baseball is a game of rhythm, and right now, that rhythm is basically silent. The 2026 regular season doesn't even kick off until March 26, when the Phillies are scheduled to host the Texas Rangers at home.
That feels like a lifetime away when it's 30 degrees outside in Philly.
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Instead of live box scores, we’re currently stuck with roster rumors. You've probably heard the chatter about J.T. Realmuto’s contract status or the ongoing pursuit of top-tier pitching depth. This is the time of year when "watching the Phillies" means following MLB Network or refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it this week) to see if Dave Dombrowski has pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade.
When Can You Actually Watch Them?
If you’re desperate for a fix, mark your calendar for February 21, 2026. That is the official start of Spring Training. The Phillies will be heading down to Dunedin to take on the Toronto Blue Jays.
The first home game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater is the following day, February 22, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Usually, these games end up on NBC Sports Philadelphia or sometimes MLB.TV, though the early spring broadcast schedules are always a bit of a gamble.
The 2026 Broadcast Shakeup
When the season finally does start, finding what channel phillies game today is on is going to be a little more complicated than it used to be. The media landscape for 2026 has shifted significantly.
- NBC Sports Philadelphia: This remains your primary home for the vast majority of the 162-game slog. If it’s a random Tuesday in May, this is where you go.
- Peacock and NBC: Here is the big change. NBCUniversal has really stepped up their MLB footprint this year. High-profile matchups—like the April 19 game against the Braves or the June 21 game against the Mets—are going to be exclusive to Peacock or simulcast on the main NBC channel.
- Netflix: Believe it or not, Netflix is now a baseball broadcaster. They’ve grabbed the rights to the Home Run Derby, which is actually happening at Citizens Bank Park this year on July 13. They’re also the exclusive home for the Field of Dreams game on August 13 against the Twins.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" is still a thing. Expect at least a few Friday night games to disappear from your local cable package and land on the Apple app.
How to Stay Ready for Opening Day
Since you can't watch a game today, the best thing you can do is make sure your tech is ready for March. If you’re a cord-cutter, you've basically got two real choices in the Philly market to get NBC Sports Philadelphia without a traditional contract: FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV.
Both carry the regional sports network (RSN), but they aren't cheap.
If you live outside of the Philadelphia region, MLB.TV is still the gold standard, though it won't help you with those exclusive Netflix or Peacock games. It’s a bit of a mess, frankly. You basically need four different subscriptions just to ensure you don't miss a single pitch.
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Actionable Next Steps for Phillies Fans
Since there’s no game to turn on right now, here is what you should actually do to prepare for the 2026 season:
- Check your subscriptions: If you cancelled Peacock after football season, you’ll need it back by April 19 for that Braves series.
- Set a reminder for December 4: (Wait, that was last month). If you missed the Spring Training ticket drop, check the secondary markets now before the "Spring Breakout" games in March sell out.
- Follow the "Hot Stove" updates: Keep an eye on the arbitration figures being exchanged this month; it usually tells us a lot about how much payroll room the front office has left for a late-winter signing.
- Watch the Flyers: Seriously, they’re playing the Rangers today. It’s live, it’s local, and it’ll scratch that competitive itch while we wait for the grass to get green again.
The wait for Phillies baseball is long, but Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 26 will be here before you know it. Keep your remote handy and your streaming passwords updated.