You’re staring at your phone, thumbing through sports apps, and wondering: what time do the twins play tonight?
Honestly, the answer is simpler than you might expect, but it’s probably not the one you want to hear if you’re craving the smell of stadium popcorn right this second. It’s mid-January. If you look out a window in Minneapolis right now, you’re seeing snowdrifts, not outfield grass.
The short version: The Minnesota Twins aren't playing tonight, January 15, 2026.
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We are currently in the heart of the "Hot Stove" season. That means while there’s no action on the diamond at Target Field, there is a whole lot of action behind the scenes in the front office.
What Time Do The Twins Play Tonight? The 2026 Reality
Since it's the middle of winter, the boys are still home, probably hitting the gym or enjoying the last few weeks of the off-season. Baseball is a summer game, and we’ve still got a bit of a wait before the first "play ball" echoes through a stadium.
Basically, the Twins are in a holding pattern. But that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Usually, this is when fans are glued to social media waiting for trade rumors or free-agent signings. You've probably heard the names floating around—the Twins are always looking to bolster that starting rotation or find another reliable bat to protect Byron Buxton in the lineup.
If you’re desperate for a date to circle on your calendar, you don’t have to wait that much longer.
When Is The First Twins Game Of 2026?
If you want to know when they actually take the field, you need to look at February. Specifically, February 20, 2026.
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That’s when the "spring" part of Spring Training really kicks off. The Twins have a tradition of playing an exhibition game against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. It’s usually a fun, low-stakes afternoon in Fort Myers where the college kids get to test their mettle against Major Leaguers.
The real Grapefruit League schedule starts right after that:
- February 21, 2026: The Twins play the Boston Red Sox at 1:05 PM CST.
- February 22, 2026: They head over to face the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 PM CST.
These games are played down in Florida at the Lee Health Sports Complex (formerly known as the CenturyLink Sports Complex). It’s a completely different vibe than a regular-season game. It’s laid back. You see guys wearing high numbers you’ve never heard of. You see the stars play three innings and then head to the clubhouse to get their work in.
Opening Day 2026: The Date That Actually Matters
If you aren't interested in exhibition games and want to know when the wins and losses start counting, mark Thursday, March 26, 2026.
This is actually a bit of history in the making. It’s the earliest Opening Day in the history of the Minnesota Twins franchise. They’ll be starting on the road, which is becoming a bit of a trend—this is the third year in a row they’ve opened away from home.
They are playing the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. That’s a 3:05 PM CST start time. It’s going to be a tough opening series. Baltimore has been a powerhouse lately, and that stadium isn't exactly a friendly place for visiting pitchers anymore since they moved the walls back.
The 2026 Home Opener at Target Field
For those of us who prefer to see the Twins in person without booking a flight to Maryland, the Home Opener is Friday, April 3, 2026.
They’ll be hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:10 PM CST. Even if it’s 40 degrees and raining—which, let's be real, is a distinct possibility in Minnesota in early April—Target Field will be packed.
How To Watch Twins Games This Year
Following the Twins has been... well, a bit of a headache lately for cord-cutters. The whole Bally Sports / Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy saga has been a mess for years.
For the 2026 season, most games are expected to be available through Twins.TV, which is the direct-to-consumer streaming option that Major League Baseball has been pushing. It's kinda nice because it removes the "I don't have cable" barrier, though blackouts can still be a thing depending on where exactly you live.
If you’re old school, many games will still be on local cable providers, but the landscape is shifting so fast it’s always worth checking the official MLB app a few days before a game to see who actually has the broadcast rights for that specific night.
Actionable Steps For Twins Fans Right Now
Just because there isn't a game tonight doesn't mean you can't get your baseball fix. Here is what you should actually do while waiting for the snow to melt:
- Check the 40-man roster: See who the Twins have protected from the Rule 5 draft and which prospects are expected to make the jump to the big leagues this spring. Keep an eye on the young arms in St. Paul.
- Verify your streaming setup: If you plan on watching via Twins.TV or a specific cable package, make sure your login still works and you know the pricing for the 2026 season. Don't wait until 10 minutes before the Home Opener to find out your subscription expired.
- Look at the June schedule: There’s a weird quirk this year. The Twins play the Texas Rangers in mid-June and have a rare "mid-series" off day on June 17. Why? Because there’s a FIFA World Cup match happening at the stadium nearby in Arlington. It’s a weird scheduling gap you might want to plan around if you're a fantasy baseball player.
- Buy tickets early: Opening Day and the "Field of Dreams" style game (keep an eye out for that announcement later in the season) always sell out fast.
The question of "what time do the twins play tonight" will have a much more exciting answer in a few weeks. For now, stay warm, keep an eye on the waiver wire, and get ready for the earliest Opening Day in Minnesota history.