So, you’re looking to find out what time the astros play today, and honestly, I’ve got some news that might be a little bit of a letdown if you were hoping to crack open a beverage and catch a game this afternoon.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you look at the calendar, we are deep in the heart of the "dead zone" of the baseball calendar. There isn't a game today. In fact, the Houston Astros aren't taking the field for a meaningful pitch for another few weeks.
When do the Astros actually start playing?
The wait is almost over, though. Pitchers and catchers usually report to West Palm Beach in mid-February, but the real action—the stuff you can actually watch on a screen—kicks off with Spring Training.
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The Houston Astros are scheduled to start their Grapefruit League play on Saturday, February 21, 2026. They’ll be facing off against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. That game is set for a 6:05 PM start time.
If you're looking for the first "home" game of the spring (meaning the Astros are the designated home team at their shared facility), mark your calendar for Sunday, February 22. They play the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:05 PM.
The 2026 Opening Day Countdown
While Spring Training is fun for scouting prospects like Brice Matthews or seeing how the veteran arms look after a winter off, most fans are really asking about the regular season.
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MLB is doing something a bit different this year. There’s a standalone Opening Night on March 25 (Giants vs. Yankees), but the Houston Astros Opening Day officially happens on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
They’ll be at home at Daikin Park—which, yes, is the new name for the stadium formerly known as Minute Maid Park—taking on the Los Angeles Angels. The first pitch for that season opener is scheduled for 4:10 PM.
Why the schedule looks different this year
You might notice some weird gaps in the 2026 schedule if you look ahead. This is because 2026 is a World Baseball Classic (WBC) year.
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Because of the WBC, the league has to balance the schedule to accommodate players leaving their MLB squads to represent their home countries. This usually leads to a slightly earlier start for Spring Training and some unique exhibition matchups.
Basically, the Astros will actually play against a WBC team in early March. On March 3, they have a scheduled exhibition against Team Venezuela at 6:05 PM. If you want to see Altuve potentially facing his own MLB teammates, that’s the game to watch.
Breaking down the early 2026 game times
Since we know there's no game today, let's look at the patterns for when they will play. Most fans get tripped up by the time zones, especially when the Astros head to the West Coast.
- Home Night Games: Usually start at 7:10 PM or 8:10 PM (Central).
- Sunday Home Games: Almost always a 1:10 PM or 2:10 PM start to allow travel for the visiting team.
- The Athletics Series: Since the A's are playing in West Sacramento at Sutter Health Park this year, those away games in April will mostly be 8:40 PM or 9:40 PM starts for us back in Houston.
Actionable Next Steps for Astros Fans
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can actually prepare for the 2026 season so you never miss a first pitch:
- Sync your digital calendar: Go to the official MLB site and download the schedule to your Google or Apple calendar. It automatically updates for time changes or rainouts.
- Check the broadcast rights: 2026 has seen some shifts in regional sports networks. Make sure your subscription still covers Space City Home Network, or check if you need the new NBC/Peacock MLB Sunday Leadoff package.
- Plan for Daikin Park: If you’re heading to the home opener on March 26, remember that "Daikin Park" is the new name. Don't get confused by the signage; it's still the same Juice Box at 501 Crawford St.
Keep an eye on the roster moves this week. With Spring Training just a month away, the front office is likely to finalize those last-minute non-roster invitee contracts any day now.