You've probably felt that weird itch lately. The one where you realize your evenings are missing the rhythmic crack of a bat and the chaotic energy of the Corner at Progressive Field. Baseball withdrawal is a real thing, honestly. If you’re checking your watch and wondering when is the Guardians next game, you aren't alone. We’re currently in that strange limbo where the hot stove is cooling down and the actual grass hasn't quite turned green in Northeast Ohio.
But here is the good news: the wait is basically over.
The Cleveland Guardians officially return to the diamond on Saturday, February 21, 2026. This isn't just one game, either. It’s a split-squad double-header to kick off the Cactus League season in Arizona. Half the boys will be staying home at Goodyear Ballpark to host the Cincinnati Reds at 3:05 PM EST. The other half? They'll be taking a short bus ride over to Phoenix to face the Milwaukee Brewers at 3:10 PM EST.
It’s the first time we get to see the 2026 roster in action. Expect a lot of jersey numbers you don't recognize.
Marking the Calendar for the 2026 Season
If you’re less about the Arizona sun and more about the "games that actually count," you’ve got a bit more of a wait. Opening Day 2026 is set for Thursday, March 26. The Guardians are continuing a bit of a tradition they’d probably like to break—starting the season on the road. For the ninth year in a row, the team won't be at Progressive Field for the first pitch of the season.
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They’re heading to Seattle. It’s a four-game set against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. If you want to catch the opener, you’re going to need some caffeine. The game starts at 10:10 PM EST. West Coast road trips are brutal on the sleep schedule, but there’s something special about late-night baseball when the stakes are fresh.
After they wrap up in Seattle, the road trip doesn't end. They head south to take on the Dodgers in Los Angeles from March 30 to April 1. It’s a gauntlet to start the year.
The Real Holiday: Home Opener 2026
For most of us in Cleveland, the season doesn't truly "start" until the first beer is poured in the Gateway District. The Guardians home opener is Friday, April 3, 2026.
This one is going to feel different. They’re hosting the Chicago Cubs. It’s only the second time in franchise history that Cleveland has opened their home slate against a National League team. The first was back in 2022 against the Giants. There’s something kinda poetic about the Cubs coming to town for the opener—it still stings a little for those of us who remember 2016, doesn't it?
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The game time for the home opener is still technically "TBA," but usually, you can bet on a mid-afternoon start. 3:10 PM or 4:10 PM is the standard. It gives everyone enough time to play hooky from work and squeeze into the bars around Ontario Street.
What to Watch for in the Early Matchups
You can't just look at the date. You have to look at the matchups. The 2026 schedule is packed with some weird Interleague quirks that most people sort of overlook.
- The Rivalry Weekend: May 15–17. The Reds come to Cleveland for a three-game series. The Ohio Cup is always a bit more intense than people give it credit for.
- The Long Haul: June 26 through July 5. This is the big one. A 10-game homestand against the Mariners, Rangers, and White Sox. If the team is going to make a mid-season push, this is where it happens.
- The New Venue: May 1–3. The Guardians travel to face the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. It's going to be a weird vibe playing in a minor-league park, and it'll be interesting to see how the ball travels there.
Honestly, the early schedule is tough. Facing the Mariners and the Dodgers on the road to start the year is a lot of pressure on the pitching rotation. We’ll know very quickly if the young arms are ready for the spotlight.
How to Follow the Action
When you’re trying to figure out when is the Guardians next game, you also need to know where to find it. The media landscape is a mess right now, but for 2026, most games will still be on Bally Sports Great Lakes (or whatever the current rebrand is called by then).
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- Radio: WTAM 1100 remains the gold standard. Tom Hamilton’s voice is the soundtrack of a Cleveland summer.
- Streaming: MLB.TV is the way to go if you’re out of market, but blackouts are still a headache for local fans.
- Tickets: If you’re heading to Goodyear for Spring Training, tickets are already on sale. For the home opener against the Cubs, keep an eye on the team’s presale in late February. Those will go fast.
The 2026 season feels like a pivot point. We’ve seen the "Guards Ball" style of play—slap hits, aggressive baserunning, and lockdown relief pitching—work in stretches. But can they sustain it against the heavy hitters in the AL East and West? That first week in Seattle and LA will be a massive litmus test.
Final Check for the Next Game
Just to be 100% clear so you don't miss a pitch:
The very next time the Guardians take the field is February 21, 2026, at 3:05 PM EST against the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Arizona.
If you are waiting for the regular season, set your alarm for March 26, 2026, at 10:10 PM EST for the opener in Seattle.
Take these steps to make sure you're ready for the season:
- Download the MLB At Bat app and set the Guardians as your primary team to get live notification pings for every game.
- Check the secondary market for Home Opener tickets early, as the Interleague matchup with the Cubs will drive prices higher than a standard divisional opener.
- If you're planning a trip to Arizona, look into the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort—it’s where a lot of the fan packages are centered this year.
The winter is almost over. See you at the ballpark.