If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and reaching for the remote to find the Atlanta Braves, you're going to be waiting a little while. They aren't on. Honestly, unless you’re looking for a replay of the 2025 postseason or a deep-cut documentary on the 90s dynasty, there is no Braves baseball happening today.
It’s January. The "Hot Stove" is still simmering, but the actual grass at Truist Park is probably dormant.
We are currently in that weird limbo. The NFL playoffs are dominating the screen—specifically that massive Rams and Bears divisional matchup later today—while baseball fans are stuck counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report to Florida.
What Time Do the Braves Play Today? The Short Answer
The Atlanta Braves do not play a game today, January 18, 2026. Because we are in the heart of the MLB offseason, the team is currently focused on roster construction and arbitration rather than live innings.
If you are seeing a "Braves" score on your ticker right now, you are almost certainly looking at the Alcorn State Braves. They’ve got a SWAC matchup against Prairie View A&M coming up tomorrow, but as far as the guys from Cobb County go? Silence.
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When Is the Actual First Braves Game of 2026?
You’ve only got about a month left to wait. The 2026 Spring Training cycle is already etched in stone.
The Braves officially kick off their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They'll be facing the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. That game is slated for a 1:05 PM ET start.
If you’re looking for the first home game at CoolToday Park in North Port, mark your calendar for the very next day. They host the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, February 22, also at 1:05 PM ET.
Key Dates for the 2026 Lead-up
- February 10, 2026: Pitchers and catchers report for their first workouts.
- February 15, 2026: First full-squad workout. This is when the energy really shifts.
- March 4, 2026: A weird and cool exhibition game against Team Colombia as part of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) tune-ups.
- March 21, 2026: The "Spring Breakout" game where the Braves' top prospects take on the Yankees' youngsters.
Opening Day 2026: The Big Reveal
The regular season is coming earlier than ever this year. MLB pushed the schedule up to accommodate the World Baseball Classic and to ensure the World Series doesn't bleed too deep into November's cold.
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The Braves open the 2026 regular season at home. This is actually a bit of a rarity lately; it’s only the third time they’ve opened at Truist Park since the stadium opened its gates.
Opening Day is Thursday, March 26, 2026. The opponent? The Kansas City Royals. While the official first-pitch time for Opening Day is often held back for national TV designations, the standard Truist Park day-game slot is usually around 4:10 PM ET or 1:05 PM ET.
Why the 2026 Schedule Looks Different
You might notice some "TBD" slots or strange start times if you're looking at early June or July. That’s because the 18-game MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule on NBC and Peacock has already claimed several Braves slots.
For instance, on July 5, 2026, the Braves play the Mets. That game is part of a "Star-Spangled Sunday" showcase. It’s a 12:30 PM ET start. It's basically a full day of baseball designed for people who want to sit on their couch and ignore their yard work.
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How to Follow the Braves Until Spring
Since there’s no game today, what do you actually do? Most die-hards are tracking the trade rumors.
The 2026 season is a pivotal one. We’re looking at a roster that has stayed remarkably consistent, but with age and injuries always a factor, the front office is likely scouring the market for late-offseason bullpen depth.
Pro Tip: If you’re desperate for a fix, the MLB Vault on YouTube is free. You can watch the entire 2021 World Series run or just highlights of Ronald Acuña Jr. doing things that don't seem physically possible.
Actionable Next Steps for Braves Fans
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official Braves site and download the 2026 schedule to your phone now so you don't have to Google "what time do the braves play today" every morning in April.
- Check the WBC Schedule: Since the World Baseball Classic returns in March, keep an eye on which Braves players are joining their national teams. It adds a layer of stress (injuries!) but the games are incredibly high-intensity.
- Budget for Tickets: Spring Training tickets for CoolToday Park are already on sale. If you're planning a Florida trip, the February 22 home opener against the Twins is usually a sell-out.
Baseball is a game of patience. Today requires a little more than usual. But in roughly 34 days, the sound of a ball hitting a glove will be back, and we can finally stop checking the weather and start checking the box scores.