If you’re staring at your calendar today, January 16, 2026, and wondering what time is the red sox game on, I have some news that might make you want to hibernate for another month. There isn't a game today. Honestly, there isn't a game tomorrow either. We are currently in that weird, cold limbo of the MLB off-season where the only "action" involves refresh-button-breaking Twitter rumors and arbitration hearings.
But don't check out just yet.
The 2026 Red Sox schedule is officially locked in, and we actually know exactly when the drought ends. While Fenway is currently covered in a layer of Boston slush, the squad is less than four weeks away from reporting to the Florida sun. If you're trying to plan your life around the first pitch, here is the reality of the 2026 calendar.
When does the 2026 Red Sox season actually start?
Forget today. Circle February 20, 2026 on your calendar. That is the day the Red Sox take the field at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers for their annual exhibition opener against the Northeastern University Huskies.
The start time for that first unofficial look at the roster is 1:05 PM ET.
It’s always a weird game. You see a mix of established stars playing two innings and guys whose jersey numbers are so high they look like area codes. But it’s baseball. After that, the Grapefruit League schedule moves fast. The first "real" Spring Training game against MLB competition happens the very next day, February 21, against the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 PM ET.
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Key Spring Training Times to Watch
Most of the Florida games follow a predictable rhythm, but there are a few outliers. Basically, if it’s a day game, you’re looking at a 1:05 PM start.
One big exception this year is the World Baseball Classic exhibition. On Tuesday, March 3, the Red Sox host Team Puerto Rico. That’s a night game with a 6:05 PM ET first pitch. It's usually one of the higher-energy games in Fort Myers because of the WBC atmosphere, so if you’re down there, that’s the one to catch.
What time is the Red Sox game on for Opening Day 2026?
This is where things get serious. The 2026 regular season doesn't start at home. The Red Sox are opening on the road this year, heading to Cincinnati to face the Reds.
Opening Day is Thursday, March 26, 2026.
While MLB hasn't finalized the national broadcast windows for every single opening week game, the standard start time for Cincinnati home openers usually lands in the early afternoon, roughly 4:10 PM ET. After three games in Cincy and a trip to Houston, the Sox finally return to Boston.
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The Fenway Home Opener
If you’re asking "what time is the red sox game on" because you’re planning to skip work for the home opener, that date is Friday, April 3, 2026.
They are playing the San Diego Padres. The scheduled first pitch is 2:10 PM ET.
There’s something uniquely brutal about a 2:00 PM game in early April in Boston. It’s usually 42 degrees, the wind is whipping off the Charles River, and everyone in the stands is wearing three layers of North Face gear under their jerseys. But the atmosphere is unmatched.
Understanding the 2026 Schedule Patterns
If you’re trying to guess game times for the rest of the 2026 season, the Red Sox are fairly consistent. Night games at Fenway Park almost always start at 7:10 PM ET.
However, MLB has been messing with "Getaway Day" times lately to help teams travel. If the Red Sox are finishing a series on a Wednesday or Thursday before flying to another city, expect a 1:35 PM ET or 4:10 PM ET start.
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Saturdays are the wild card. Depending on whether the game is picked up by FOX or Apple TV+, you might see a 4:10 PM start or a 7:15 PM national window. Sundays are almost exclusively 1:35 PM ET, unless ESPN grabs them for Sunday Night Baseball, which bumps the start to 7:00 PM ET or 8:00 PM ET.
Notable 2026 Time Outliers
- Patriots' Day (April 20): This is the famous Marathon Monday game. The start time is 11:05 AM ET. It is the earliest game of the year, designed so fans can spill out of Fenway and walk over to Kenmore Square to watch the runners.
- West Coast Trips: When the Sox head to play the Mariners or Dodgers, "what time is the red sox game on" becomes a depressing question for East Coast fans. You're looking at 9:38 PM or 10:10 PM ET starts. Goodbye, sleep.
Where to find the most accurate daily times
Look, schedules change. Rain happens. TV networks flex games. If you want the absolute, stone-cold truth on a specific day, you have three real options:
- The MLB At Bat App: It’s the gold standard. It adjusts for your local time zone automatically.
- NESN’s Website: Since they broadcast the vast majority of games, they usually have the most up-to-date info on pre-game coverage start times.
- RedSox.com: The official team site is the "source of truth" for any postponed games or doubleheaders.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no game today, you've got time to prep for the season. First, check your streaming subscriptions. If you're in the New England market, NESN 360 is still the primary way to watch without a cable bundle. If you're out of market, MLB.tv is your best friend, though blackouts are still a headache.
Second, if you're planning to attend the Home Opener on April 3, start looking at tickets now. Prices for the Padres series are already trending higher than the following Brewers series.
Finally, keep an eye on February 10. That’s when pitchers and catchers report. While there’s no "game" to watch that day, it’s the official signal that the "what time is the red sox game on" search queries will finally start returning real results again.