If you’re staring at your phone trying to figure out what time is today's phillies game, you aren't alone. It's a Saturday in mid-January. It’s 2026. The atmosphere around Citizens Bank Park is already electric, even if we are technically in the heart of the offseason's tail end. But wait. Let's get real for a second. There is no Phillies game today.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you see people wearing pinstripes and Chase Utley jerseys wandering around South Philly right now, they're probably heading to a sports bar to argue about the latest trade rumors or they’re just nostalgic. We are exactly 37 days away from the first Spring Training game in Clearwater and a few months out from Opening Day.
I know, I know. It’s annoying when you have that itch for baseball and the calendar doesn't cooperate. But since you’re asking about game times, you're likely planning your life around the upcoming 2026 schedule. Let’s break down how these start times actually work because the "standard" 7:05 PM start is basically a relic of the past at this point.
Why Finding What Time Is Today's Phillies Game Gets Complicated
Philly fans are obsessive. We plan our entire weeks around whether the Phils are home or away. Major League Baseball (MLB) changed the game—literally—with the pitch clock and balanced schedules a few years back. Because of that, "standard" times are basically non-existent.
Usually, if it’s a weeknight at Citizens Bank Park, you’re looking at a 6:40 PM or 7:05 PM start. The Phillies moved a lot of their weeknight games to 6:40 PM recently to help families get home earlier. It was a smart move. Parents love it. The bars? Maybe not as much since there’s less pre-game drinking time.
Saturday games are the real wild card. Depending on whether the game is picked up by FOX or FS1, you could be looking at a 4:05 PM start, a 7:15 PM national broadcast, or even a 1:05 PM matinee. Sundays are almost exclusively 1:35 PM unless ESPN decides to flex the Phillies into Sunday Night Baseball at 7:10 PM.
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The 2026 Schedule Flow
Since we are sitting here in January, the best thing you can do is bookmark the official MLB schedule. But honestly, even that changes.
Local TV rights with NBC Sports Philadelphia dictate a lot of the rhythm. If they’re playing a West Coast road trip against the Dodgers or the Giants, don't even bother looking for a game before 9:40 PM or 10:10 PM ET. It’s the worst. You wake up the next morning, check the box score, and realize you missed a 10th-inning walk-off because you have a job and a life.
What to watch for this season:
- Opening Day 2026: Usually falls in late March. These are almost always 3:05 PM or 4:05 PM starts to account for the ceremonies.
- Business Person Specials: These are the Wednesday or Thursday afternoon games. They usually start at 1:05 PM. It's the best excuse to "work from home" while sitting in the Diamond Club.
- The Apple TV+ Factor: If the Phillies are on Friday Night Baseball, the time might shift slightly to accommodate the streaming window.
The Travel Factor and "Getaway" Games
You ever wonder why a random Thursday game starts at 1:05 PM? It’s not just for the fans. It’s a "getaway game."
The MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement has specific rules about travel. If the Phillies have to fly out to play the Braves or the Mets that night or the next day, the game has to start earlier so the players can get on the charter plane. It's all about "rest and recovery," though most fans just see it as a great reason to leave the office early.
If you're checking what time is today's phillies game during the season, always look at the previous night's end time. If they played a night game and have an afternoon game the next day, expect a slightly different lineup. Catchers like J.T. Realmuto (or whoever is behind the dish in '26) rarely start a day game after a night game.
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Dealing With Rain Delays
This is Philadelphia. It rains. A lot.
A 7:05 PM start time is really just a suggestion if there’s a cell moving up from Delaware. The Phillies' social media team (specifically their X/Twitter account) is usually the fastest way to see if a game is being pushed back. Don't rely on the weather app on your iPhone; it’s never right about the South Philly microclimate.
If a game is delayed, they usually provide updates every 30 minutes. If they "suspend" the game, it might resume the next day as part of a single-admission doubleheader. That’s the jackpot for fans. Two games for the price of one, usually starting around 1:05 PM.
How to Sync the Schedule to Your Phone
The easiest way to never ask "what time is today's Phillies game" again is to sync the schedule to your Google or Outlook calendar.
- Go to the Phillies official website.
- Look for the "Schedule" tab.
- Click "Add to Calendar."
- Select your provider.
This is a lifesaver because it updates automatically if the league changes a game time for national TV. It’s happened before where a game moves from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM because ESPN realized the Bryce Harper vs. whoever matchup was too good to pass up.
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The Postseason Rhythm
If we’re talking about October (and let's hope we are), all bets are off. MLB and the networks—TBS, FOX, and ABC—control those times. You won't know the start time for a Tuesday playoff game until maybe Sunday night. It's stressful. It’s chaotic. It’s Philly baseball.
Usually, those games are staggered so they don't overlap with other playoff matchups. You might get a 4:30 PM start or an 8:07 PM start. If you're going to the Bank for a playoff game, just clear your entire day. Honestly, clear the next morning too.
Where to Check Right Now
Even though there isn't a game today, January 17, you should be looking at the Spring Training calendar. The Phillies play in the Grapefruit League down in Clearwater, Florida.
BayCare Ballpark is a much smaller vibe. Most of those games start at 1:05 PM ET. It’s great background noise for a workday in late February. You can usually catch those on 94.1 WIP or NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Practical Steps for the 2026 Season
If you are getting ready for the season, here is what you actually need to do to stay on top of things:
- Download the MLB At Bat App: It’s the gold standard. It gives you alerts 30 minutes before first pitch.
- Follow Kevin Cooney or Matt Gelb: These guys are on the beat. If there’s a delay or a time change, they tweet it before the official accounts do.
- Check the Gate Times: If the game starts at 6:40 PM, the gates usually open 90 minutes prior. If you want a giveaway (like a bobblehead or a jersey), you need to be there the second those gates swing open.
- Account for the SEPTA Broad Street Line: If it’s a night game, the "Sports Express" runs differently. Check the SEPTA schedule about two hours before you head down.
Knowing what time is today's phillies game is just the first step. Navigating the traffic on I-95, finding a spot in the Lincoln Financial Field overflow lots, and getting through security is the real challenge.
Since it’s the offseason, now is actually the best time to buy your tickets for the home opener or those big series against the Dodgers and Braves. Prices only go up once the weather gets warm and the team starts hovering around first place. Check the official 2026 schedule now, plug those dates into your calendar, and make sure you’ve got your notifications turned on for the MLB app so you never miss a first pitch.