So, you’re looking for the first pitch. You’ve got the jersey ready, maybe you’re checking the weather over Comerica Park, and you’re asking: what time is the detroit tigers baseball game today? Here is the cold, hard reality: there isn't one.
Since today is January 16, 2026, the Detroit Tigers are currently deep in the "hot stove" phase of the winter. No dirt is flying in Detroit right now. Instead of box scores, we’re looking at arbitration numbers and trade rumors. If you see people talking about Tigers baseball today, they aren't talking about a game—they're talking about the massive standoff between the front office and ace Tarik Skubal.
When does the 2026 Detroit Tigers season actually start?
If you're itching for a game, you’ve still got a bit of a wait. We are roughly a month away from the first signs of life in Lakeland, Florida.
The Tigers' spring training schedule officially kicks off in February. The very first chance to see them in action is February 21, 2026, when they head to Tampa to face the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. That’s a 1:05 p.m. start.
If you’re looking for the first "real" game that counts, mark your calendar for March 26, 2026. The Tigers are actually part of a historic Opening Day this year. Major League Baseball is doing its earliest traditional stateside start ever. Detroit opens the season on the road against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
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Because that game is in San Diego, the start time is a bit of a late one for those of us in Michigan—first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. local time, which is 7:10 p.m. ET.
Key Dates for the 2026 Tigers Calendar
- February 11, 2026: Pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic report to camp.
- February 17, 2026: Official Tigers Photo Day in Lakeland (starts early at 6:30 a.m.).
- February 21, 2026: First Spring Training game vs. Yankees (1:05 p.m.).
- March 26, 2026: Opening Day at San Diego (7:10 p.m. ET).
- April 3, 2026: Home Opener at Comerica Park vs. St. Louis Cardinals (1:10 p.m.).
Why the "game" today is happening in the front office
Even though there isn't a game on the field, today is actually a huge day for the franchise. The Tigers are currently navigating one of the most tense offseasons in recent memory.
The big story right now is the arbitration gap with Tarik Skubal. The team filed at $19 million while Skubal’s camp countered at a staggering $32 million. That’s a $13 million gap. In the world of MLB arbitration, that's not just a disagreement; it's a canyon.
Honestly, it feels a bit weird. You’ve got a homegrown Cy Young winner who basically carried the rotation, and the team is haggling over the price tag while the Los Angeles Dodgers are out here signing Kyle Tucker to a $240 million deal. Fans are rightfully a bit nervous that this "business as usual" approach might lead to a trade that nobody in Detroit actually wants to see.
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How to watch the Tigers in 2026
When the games actually do start, things are going to look a little different on your TV. The Tigers were one of nine teams that recently canceled their FanDuel Sports (formerly Bally Sports) contracts.
Basically, the era of "I can't find the game on my cable package" might be shifting. MLB is expected to take over more of the local broadcasts, and we’re also seeing a big push toward national streaming. For example, the Tigers' game against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 5 has already been picked up by Peacock for a 7:20 p.m. national broadcast.
Expect more of that. More games on Apple TV+, more games on Roku, and fewer games behind the old-school cable wall. It’s a mess to keep track of, but it usually means better picture quality for those of us who have ditched the dish.
What you can do right now
Since you can't watch a game today, the best way to get your Tigers fix is to keep an eye on the international signing period news. Scott Harris and the front office have been active there, recently making some big-scale deals to bolster the farm system.
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If you really need to see some dirt flying, you can look into Spring Training tickets. Prices for the Lakeland games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium are currently hovering around $30 to $45 for the early March matchups.
The most immediate thing to watch for? The resolution of the Skubal arbitration. If the Tigers don't settle soon, we might be looking at a hearing, which usually isn't great for player-team relations.
Check the MLB official site or the Tigers' team app for the most up-to-date broadcast times as we get closer to March. For now, just keep the winter coat on and wait for that Florida sun to start shining on the box scores.
To get ready for the actual season, you should double-check your streaming subscriptions to see which ones will carry MLB games this year, as the transition away from regional sports networks means your old cable login might not work for the 2026 season opener.