If you’re checking your watch and wondering what time is the braves game today, you might notice something a bit quiet on the radar. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the itch for baseball is real—trust me, I feel it too—there actually isn’t a Major League game on the calendar for this afternoon. We’re currently in that mid-winter lull where the bats are still in storage and the grass at Truist Park is probably getting its beauty sleep.
But don't go just yet. While the big-league squad is inactive, there is a different "Braves" team hitting the court today. The Bradley Braves are taking on Northern Iowa in a Missouri Valley Conference basketball showdown at 2:00 PM CT. If you’re a multi-sport fan in Georgia or Illinois, that might be what’s popping up on your local listings.
For the Atlanta faithful, the wait is almost over. We are officially in the "pitchers and catchers report" countdown.
When Does Atlanta Braves Baseball Actually Start?
Kinda feels like forever since the 76-win 2025 season wrapped up, doesn't it? The good news is that the 2026 cycle is right around the corner. If you want to know when to start clearing your schedule, mark February 10 on your calendar. That’s when the squad officially starts reporting to North Port, Florida, for Spring Training.
Honestly, the first real chance to see them in action comes on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They open the Grapefruit League schedule on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 PM ET. If you're looking for the first home game at CoolToday Park, that’s the following day, Sunday, February 22, against the Minnesota Twins, also at 1:05 PM ET.
The 2026 Opening Day Details
The "real" answer to what time is the braves game today won't be relevant until March. Here is the breakdown for the start of the regular season:
- Opening Day: Thursday, March 26, 2026.
- Opponent: Kansas City Royals.
- Location: Truist Park (Atlanta, GA).
- First Pitch: 7:15 PM ET (Tentative).
It’s actually the earliest "traditional" Opening Day in MLB history. The league is trying to squeeze in more off-days during the summer, which means we get baseball in March. Just be sure to bring a jacket to the Battery; Atlanta weather in late March can be a bit of a gamble.
Major Changes Coming to the Braves in 2026
You've probably heard the buzz, but this year looks a lot different in the dugout. Brian Snitker has moved into an advisory role, and Walt Weiss is now the man at the helm. It’s the end of an era, basically. Weiss isn't alone either; he brought in Jeremy Hefner as the new pitching coach, a move that most analysts are praising after what he did with the Mets' arms.
The roster saw some serious movement too. Following a season that didn't quite meet the Atlanta standard, the front office was aggressive. They re-signed Raisel Iglesias to keep the back end of the bullpen locked down and snagged Robert Suarez to give them a truly scary late-inning bridge.
Watching the Games: New Broadcast Partners
If you’re trying to figure out how to watch the Braves this year, it’s getting a little complicated. While Bally Sports (or whatever they’re calling themselves this week) still handles the bulk, MLB just announced a massive deal with NBC and Peacock.
For example, on April 12, the Braves vs. Guardians game will be a national broadcast on NBC/Peacock. Then again on April 19, they’ll be on Peacock for the Phillies game. You’re gonna need a few different logins this year if you want to catch every single pitch.
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A Quick Look at the 2026 Schedule Highlights
Since there isn't a game today, let’s look ahead at the series you actually need to care about. The schedule-makers did us some favors this year with some really interesting interleague matchups.
- The Royals Opener: March 26–29. Opening at home is always a vibe, especially against a rising KC team.
- The Boston Series: May 15–17. The Red Sox come to Atlanta for a three-game weekend set. These games are always sellouts.
- The New York Rivalry: July 3–6. The Mets come to town for July 4th weekend. Expect fireworks on and off the field for that one.
Why the "What Time is the Game" Question is Tricky Today
The reason many people are searching for the Braves' game time today, January 18, is likely due to the college basketball schedule. The Bradley University Braves are a staple of Sunday afternoon sports in the Midwest. If you’re an Atlanta fan, it’s easy to get a Google alert that just says "Braves vs. UNI" and assume the MLB schedule started early.
Unfortunately, baseball is still in its winter slumber. But look on the bright side: in exactly 34 days, we’ll have actual box scores to check and Grapefruit League stats to overanalyze.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the Braves aren't playing today, here is how you can get ready for the 2026 season:
- Check your streaming subs: If you don't have Peacock, you'll miss at least three or four major Sunday games this season.
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official MLB site and download the 2026 schedule directly to your phone. It updates automatically if there are rainouts or time changes.
- Book Spring Training now: If you're planning to head to North Port in February, tickets for the Feb 22 home opener against the Twins are already moving fast.
The wait for October baseball starts with the patience of January. We'll be back at Truist Park before you know it.