Look, being a Yankees fan in January is a specific kind of torture. It’s that weird limbo where the Hot Stove has mostly cooled off, but the actual crack of the bat is still weeks away. If you’re asking what station is the Yankee game on today, the short, blunt answer is: none of them.
Because it’s January 16, 2026, and the boys aren't playing yet.
But I get why you're asking. Maybe you saw a highlight on social media, or perhaps you're just eager to see how the 2026 roster shapes up after the winter's moves. While there isn't a live game at the Stadium today, the broadcast landscape for the upcoming season has shifted enough that you probably need a map just to find the first pitch of Spring Training.
The 2026 Broadcast Shuffle
Gone are the days when you just flicked to channel 11 or 55 and called it a day. The 2026 season is going to be a patchwork quilt of streaming services and traditional cable. Honestly, it's getting a bit exhausting keeping track of which app you need to open.
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The YES Network remains the primary home for the Pinstripes. If you’re in the local market, that’s your bread and butter. However, the big news for 2026 is the further integration of the Gotham Sports App, which is trying to be the one-stop shop for New York sports.
- YES Network: Your go-to for about 125+ games.
- Amazon Prime Video: Expect the Friday night exclusive games to continue here.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" is still a thing, and the Yankees are always a big draw for them.
- The New Guys: There’s been a lot of chatter about Netflix entering the live MLB space for specific "event" games this year.
When Do the Games Actually Start?
If you’re itching for live action, you’ve only got about a month to wait. The Yankees kick off their 2026 Spring Training schedule on February 20, 2026, with a Grapefruit League opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
That game is typically picked up by YES, but sometimes the away feeds are all we get early in the spring. It’s usually a low-stakes affair where you’re mostly just watching to see if the top prospects have put on "15 pounds of muscle" like the beat writers claim every single year.
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Opening Day 2026: Mark the Calendar
The real answer to what station is the Yankee game on today won't matter until March 25, 2026. That’s the official Opening Night. This year is a bit different—MLB is doing a standalone opener with the Yankees heading to San Francisco to face the Giants at Oracle Park.
Because it’s a standalone "Opening Night," expect this to be a national broadcast. You’re likely looking at ESPN or even FOX for that one, rather than just the local YES feed. The rest of the league follows suit on March 26 for the traditional Opening Day.
How to Watch If You’re Out of Market
If you’re a Yankee fan living in, say, Florida or California, the "what station" question gets even more complicated. MLB.TV is still the reigning king for out-of-market fans, but the blackouts are still the bane of everyone's existence.
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- Directv Stream / Fubo: These remain the most reliable ways to get YES Network without a traditional cable box.
- The Gotham Sports App: If you’re within the New York territory but don’t want cable, this is basically your only legal path to YES and MSG.
- National Broadcasts: When the Yankees play the Red Sox or Dodgers, there's a 90% chance it gets flexed to Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN or a Saturday window on FOX.
What to Watch Right Now
Since there isn't a game today, what are you supposed to do? If you turn on YES Network right now, you’re probably going to see Yankees Magazine, a replay of a classic 1990s game, or maybe some Brooklyn Nets coverage.
It’s a good time to catch up on the Homegrown series, which tracks the kids coming up through the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre system. With the 2026 roster looking for more youthful depth, these are the guys who will actually be on your TV come July.
Basically, keep your remote handy and your streaming passwords updated. The 2026 season is going to be a scramble across at least five different platforms.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan
Check your current streaming subscriptions to see if you still have active access to Amazon Prime and Apple TV+, as these will be required for several "exclusive" Yankee windows starting in April. If you're a cord-cutter in the NYC area, now is the time to look into the Gotham Sports App introductory pricing before the Spring Training rush begins in February.