Baseball is back. It feels like we just watched the confetti fall, but the crack of the bat is already echoing through spring training camps in Arizona. If you are a fan of the Boys in Blue, you probably have one question burning a hole in your brain: when is the dodgers first game?
The wait is officially over.
For the 2026 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to kick things off on Thursday, March 26, 2026. They aren't starting at the Ravine, though. The team is heading out to South Florida to take on the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. It’s an interesting choice for an opener, honestly. Usually, you’d expect a high-profile divisional rivalry or a massive home stand, but MLB’s balanced schedule means the Dodgers are starting their quest for another World Series ring in the humidity of Miami.
Opening Day Details You Actually Need
Opening Day is basically a national holiday for baseball fans. For this specific matchup on March 26, the first pitch is tentatively scheduled for the late afternoon window, though local broadcast times on SportsNet LA will be finalized closer to the date.
Why Miami? MLB has leaned heavily into "inter-league" and "balanced" scheduling over the last few seasons. This means the Dodgers spend less time pummeling the NL West and more time flying across the country to face teams they used to only see once every three years. It’s a grind. You’ve got Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman starting their season in a stadium that—let's be real—will probably be at least 40% filled with Dodger fans who traveled east.
The pitching matchup is where things get spicy. While Dave Roberts hasn't officially handed the ball to anyone yet, the internal expectation is that a healthy Tyler Glasnow or perhaps Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the bump. It depends on how the spring rotation shakes out in Camelback Ranch.
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The Home Opener: When Does Dodger Stadium Open?
If you don't care about the road trip and just want to know when you can get a Dodger Dog at 1000 Vin Scully Ave, mark your calendars for Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The Dodgers return to Los Angeles to face the Chicago Cubs. This is the real party. There is nothing quite like the flyover at Chavez Ravine during the national anthem. The Cubs are always a tough draw, especially with their young core maturing, so don't expect a cakewalk. The atmosphere for that Thursday game will be electric.
What to expect at the stadium this year
Prices for the home opener are already hitting the secondary markets like SeatGeek and StubHub, and they aren't cheap. You’re looking at several hundred dollars just to get into the Top Deck. If you're planning on going, honestly, buy them now or wait until 48 hours before the game when the "panic sellers" start dropping prices.
Parking is still a nightmare. That hasn't changed. If you aren't using the Dodger Stadium Express from Union Station, you're basically signing up to sit in your car for an hour after the final out. It's a rite of passage, I guess.
Key Series to Watch in the First Month
Once you get past the question of when is the dodgers first game, the focus shifts to the gauntlet of the early season. April is going to be a massive litmus test for this roster.
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Following the Cubs series, the Dodgers have a quick turnaround. They stay at home to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Remember, the D-Backs have been a thorn in the Dodgers' side lately. They play a chaotic, fast style of baseball that can frustrate a veteran-heavy team like LA.
Then comes the big one. The San Diego Padres.
The rivalry with San Diego has officially surpassed the Giants rivalry in terms of sheer on-field intensity. The Padres have spent money like it’s going out of style, and they play the Dodgers with a chip on their shoulder the size of the Santa Monica Pier. The first meeting between these two in 2026 will likely happen in mid-April, and those games usually feel like the postseason even though it’s barely spring.
The Ohtani Factor in 2026
We have to talk about Shohei. By the time the 2026 opener rolls around, Ohtani is expected to be fully integrated into the pitching rotation again, assuming his recovery cycles have remained on track. Seeing him as a true two-way player on Opening Day in Miami would be the ultimate "must-watch TV" moment for the sport.
In 2025, we saw him dominate the plate. In 2026, the league is terrified of him being back on the mound. When you're looking at the schedule, pay attention to the "six-man rotation" rumors. The Dodgers often adjust their starters to give Ohtani extra rest, which can shift who pitches the first game of a series.
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How to Watch the First Game
If you aren't flying to Miami, you have a few options.
- SportsNet LA: This is still the primary home for almost every game. If you have Spectrum, you're set.
- MLB.TV: Great if you live outside of Los Angeles. If you live in LA, you’ll be blacked out unless you’re using a high-quality VPN, though MLB has been cracking down on those lately.
- National Broadcasts: Given the star power of this team, there’s a high probability that ESPN or FOX picks up the opening festivities.
Preparing for the Season
Baseball is a long haul. 162 games. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the energy of the first game sets the tone for the entire summer.
The Dodgers are currently favorites to win the NL West again. Shocker, right? But with the Giants constantly retooling and the Padres always looming, nothing is guaranteed. The 2026 roster looks deeper than ever, especially with some of the younger arms like Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone having more experience under their belts.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check your passports/IDs: If you're planning to follow the team for any international series (which MLB loves to do now), make sure your travel docs are ready.
- Download the Ballpark App: Paper tickets are a thing of the past. If you don't have the MLB Ballpark app updated on your phone, you aren't getting into Dodger Stadium.
- Set your alerts: Use an app like ESPN or The Score to follow the "Probable Pitchers" tab. This will update about 5 days before the Miami game, confirming exactly who Glasnow or Yamamoto will be facing.
- Budget for the Home Opener: If you want to attend the April 2nd game, set aside at least $250 per person for a decent experience including parking and food.
The road to the World Series starts in Miami on March 26. Whether you're watching from a bar in Echo Park or sitting behind the dugout in Florida, the return of Dodgers baseball is the best sign that winter is finally over.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season
To ensure you don't miss a single pitch, sync the official Dodgers schedule to your digital calendar via the MLB website. This will automatically update game times and TV channels as they are announced. Additionally, keep an eye on the spring training injury reports coming out of Glendale this month; any late-February tweaks can completely change who takes the mound for that first game in Miami. Be sure to secure your parking passes for the home opener at least two weeks in advance to avoid the inevitable price hikes on game day.