So, you’re looking for the first pitch time for the Amazins and coming up empty. Honestly, if you check your weather app and see it’s mid-January in New York, you probably already know the answer. There was no game today.
It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the NFL is deep into the playoffs and the Knicks are mid-season, the New York Mets are currently in the peak of the baseball "dead zone." There are no box scores to refresh and no Edwin Díaz entrance music to blast. If you’re asking what time did the Mets play today, the reality is that the team is still about three weeks away from even smelling the grass at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
Baseball fans are a different breed. We get restless. We start looking for start times in January because the hot stove rumors—like the recent buzz about the Mets signing Bo Bichette and chasing Cody Bellinger—make it feel like the season is right around the corner. But for right now, the only "game" being played is in the front office.
When Do the Mets Actually Start Playing?
If you’re desperate to see "NYM" on a scoreboard, you’ve gotta wait until February. The 2026 Spring Training schedule is already set in stone, and that’s when the clock starts ticking for real.
The Mets are scheduled to open their Grapefruit League season on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They’ll be facing the Miami Marlins at home in Clover Park. The official start time for that opener is 1:10 PM ET.
✨ Don't miss: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Here is how the first few days of the 2026 preseason look:
- February 21: vs. Miami Marlins (Home) – 1:10 PM ET
- February 22: at New York Yankees (Away - Tampa) – 1:05 PM ET
- February 23: at Toronto Blue Jays (Away - Dunedin) – 1:07 PM ET
- February 24: vs. Houston Astros (Home) – 1:10 PM ET
It’s kinda wild that the earliest we see them in action is against the Yankees in Tampa just 24 hours after the spring opener. That February 22 game is usually a hot ticket even for a meaningless exhibition. People just want to see the new roster additions in the jersey for the first time.
The Pitchers and Catchers Reporting Date
Before the games start, there’s the actual start of camp. Pitchers and catchers are slated to report on Wednesday, February 11. The first full-squad workout—the day the hitters finally show up and things get loud—is Monday, February 16.
If you're wondering what time did the Mets play today because you saw a highlight on social media, it was almost certainly a clip from the 2025 postseason or a hype video for the 2026 campaign.
🔗 Read more: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
The 2026 Regular Season Countdown
We are looking at a historic start for the 2026 MLB season. It's the earliest traditional Opening Day ever. While the Yankees and Giants kick things off with a standalone game on March 25, the Mets don’t wait much longer.
The Mets officially open their 2026 regular season at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26, 2026. They’ll be hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Expect a 1:10 PM or 4:10 PM start time for that one, though MLB usually doesn't finalize the exact broadcast windows for the openers until we get much closer to March.
Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
Since there wasn't a game today, you might as well plan for the ones that actually matter. The 2026 schedule has some bizarre quirks due to the World Cup and some major anniversaries.
💡 You might also like: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
- Jackie Robinson Day (April 15): The Mets travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. This is a massive 10:00 PM ET game on ESPN.
- Rivalry Weekend (May 15-17): The first Subway Series of the year happens in mid-May.
- The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: The Mets and Yankees will play at Yankee Stadium from September 11–13. This is going to be an emotional, heavy series for the city.
- The All-Star Game (July 14): Being held in Philadelphia this year at Citizens Bank Park.
Why You Might Have Been Confused
Sometimes, regional networks like SNY or MLB Network will replay "Classic Games" on weekend afternoons in January. If you flipped on the TV today and saw Pete Alonso sliding into home, it’s easy to think, "Wait, is there a game on?"
Also, the Mets held a job fair at Clover Park on January 16, just two days ago. Sometimes news about the stadium opening up for staff gets conflated with the team actually being on the field.
Basically, we're in the waiting room.
The roster is still being tweaked. Steve Cohen is still writing checks. The players are mostly training in private facilities in Florida or Arizona.
Actionable Steps for Mets Fans Today
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can actually prepare for the 2026 season so you don't miss the next first pitch:
- Sync the Schedule: Go to the official MLB app and sync the Mets' 2026 schedule to your phone’s calendar. It’ll automatically update the start times as they are finalized.
- Check Spring Training Tickets: Tickets for the February games in Port St. Lucie are already on sale. If you're planning a trip to Florida, the weekend of February 21 is the time to go.
- Monitor the Bullpen: Keep an eye on the waiver wire. The Mets are still looking for middle-relief depth, and those minor signings usually happen right about now.
- Update Your Streaming: If you're a cord-cutter, check if your provider still carries SNY. Contracts often expire in the new year, and you don't want to be scrambling on Opening Day.
The wait is almost over. We’re less than 25 days away from pitchers and catchers. Until then, stay warm and keep checking those trade rumors.