Honestly, if you're looking for a box score today, January 17, 2026, you're going to be staring at an empty scoreboard. There is no score to report because the San Francisco Giants aren't playing a game today. Baseball is in its deep winter hibernation.
I know, it’s a bit of a bummer. Especially when you see "San Francisco" in the sports headlines and your brain immediately goes to Oracle Park. But right now, the city's sports energy is entirely focused on the gridiron. The San Francisco 49ers are actually playing a massive NFC Divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks tonight at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). If you saw a score of 0-0 or people talking about a big game in the Bay Area, that’s almost certainly the one they mean.
When do the Giants actually play?
We are currently in that weird "dead zone" of the MLB calendar. The 2025 season is long gone, and the 2026 season is still a few weeks from even waking up.
If you're asking what's the score of the San Francisco Giants game because you're itching for baseball, you have to wait until late February. The very first time the Giants will take the field for a meaningful (well, "preseason meaningful") game is February 21, 2026. They'll be facing the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium to kick off the Cactus League.
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Here is the deal with the upcoming schedule:
- Pitchers and Catchers Report: February 10, 2026. This is when the lights finally turn back on at the facility in Scottsdale.
- Full Squad Workouts: February 15, 2026.
- Cactus League Opener: February 21 vs. Mariners.
- First Home Spring Training Game: February 22 vs. Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium.
Why people are confused today
It's actually pretty common for fans to search for the Giants score in mid-January. Between the international signing period starting up—the Giants just landed 17-year-old shortstop Luis Hernandez from Venezuela on January 15—and the 49ers being in the heat of a playoff run, the "San Francisco" search traffic is through the roof.
Plus, there was just a huge announcement yesterday. Jeff Kent is finally getting his number retired by the Giants following his Hall of Fame induction. When big news like that drops, people start thinking about the diamond again, even when there's three feet of snow in other parts of the country.
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The 2026 Opening Night Shocker
While there's no game today, the MLB actually threw a massive curveball for the 2026 season. Usually, Opening Day is a Thursday afternoon affair. Not this time.
The San Francisco Giants will actually host the New York Yankees for a special Opening Night on March 25, 2026.
That's the real date you want to circle. It’s a standalone game at Oracle Park before the rest of the league kicks off their "traditional" Opening Day on March 26. Imagine the scene: the chilly San Francisco air, the glow of the lights over McCovey Cove, and the Bronx Bombers in town to start the year. It's going to be electric.
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What the Giants are doing right now
Instead of playing games, the front office is basically in a high-stakes poker match. They finished 2025 with an 81-81 record—perfectly average, which is the worst place to be in baseball.
Management is currently trying to fix an infield that felt a little thin last year. There have been reports all week (as of Jan 13) that they are engaged in trade talks with two NL teams to find a permanent solution at second base. They’re also looking for more depth behind Logan Webb, who remains the absolute anchor of that rotation. If you aren't seeing a score, it's because the "winning" is currently happening in backroom meetings and phone calls.
How to stay updated until Spring Training
Since you won't find a live score for a while, the best way to get your fix is to follow the roster moves. The 2026 World Baseball Classic is also looming large. On March 3, the Giants will actually play an exhibition game against Team USA at Scottsdale Stadium. That's going to be one of the few times you see MLB stars playing against their own teammates in a weird, patriotic mashup.
If you really need some San Francisco sports action today, turn your attention to the 49ers game on FOX. It's the only San Francisco game with a live score that actually matters right now.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Mark March 25, 2026, for the Opening Night game against the Yankees so you don't miss the first real score of the year.
- Check the 49ers: If you're looking for a live score for a San Francisco team right now (January 17), search for "49ers vs Seahawks live score" to see the playoff updates.
- Watch the Wire: Keep an eye on MLB Trade Rumors over the next 48 hours; with the international signing window open and trade talks heating up, the Giants' 2026 roster is being built as we speak.