Winter is finally losing its grip, and honestly, that only means one thing for us: baseball is back. If you've been refreshing your feed waiting for the first crack of the bat, the wait is almost over. The yankees preseason tv schedule for 2026 has finally crystallized, and it’s looking like a packed slate for fans trying to track the Bombers from Tampa to their weirdly historic season-ending trip to Arizona.
Let's be real—trying to figure out which game is on YES Network, which is on Amazon Prime, and which is stuck behind a random blackout can feel like a part-time job. This year is especially interesting because of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) overlap. You've got stars heading off to represent their countries while the prospects try to steal a roster spot in Florida.
When Does the Action Actually Start?
The Yankees officially kick off their Grapefruit League campaign on Friday, February 20, 2026, with a road game against the Baltimore Orioles. If you’re looking for the home opener at George M. Steinbrenner Field, mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, against the Detroit Tigers.
YES Network remains the primary home for these games. They generally broadcast the vast majority of home games and a decent selection of road matchups. While the specific "TV" designations for every single game sometimes shift based on late-season network decisions, expect YES to handle about 20–25 of the 33 scheduled preseason games.
Key Dates You Shouldn't Miss
The schedule this year is a bit of a marathon.
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- March 3: An exhibition against Team Panama. This is a big one because it’s a precursor to the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- March 18: The Red Sox come to Tampa. It’s preseason, sure, but it’s still the Sox.
- March 21: The Spring Breakout game. This is where you see the top prospects (think the next generation of George Lombard Jr. or Roderick Arias) face off against Atlanta’s future stars.
- March 23–24: The "Arizona Finale." For the first time since 1951, the Yankees are closing spring training in the Cactus League, playing the Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa.
Decoding the Yankees Preseason TV Schedule
The way we watch these games has changed. It's not just "turn to channel 622" anymore.
If you live in the New York market, YES Network is your lifeline. You can get it through traditional cable like Xfinity or Spectrum, or through the Gotham Sports App. This app is the new-ish home for YES and MSG, and it’s basically mandatory if you’re a cord-cutter in the Tri-State area. Expect the usual crew—Michael Kay, David Cone, and Paul O'Neill—to start trickling into the booth as the games get closer to March.
For those outside the New York area, the yankees preseason tv schedule largely runs through MLB.TV. They usually offer a "Spring Training Free Preview" during the final week of March, but if you want the early February games, you'll need the subscription. Just a heads-up: local blackout rules still apply to MLB.TV, even in the preseason. If the game is on a local channel in your area, it might be blocked on the app.
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National Broadcasts and Streaming
Don't sleep on the other players. ESPN usually picks up a handful of Grapefruit League games, especially ones involving the Yankees and Mets. MLB Network also does a "Game of the Day" format where they simulcast local feeds.
Then there’s Amazon Prime Video. In recent years, they’ve carved out a slice of the Yankees schedule. While they mostly focus on regular-season Wednesday or Friday games, they occasionally grab a high-profile preseason matchup.
Why the 2026 Schedule is Unique
This isn't a normal spring. Because of the World Baseball Classic, the roster is going to look like a revolving door. You might tune in to see Aaron Judge or Juan Soto, only to find them already departed for WBC camp. This makes the yankees preseason tv schedule even more valuable for prospect junkies. You’re going to see a lot more of the "non-roster invitees" than usual.
Also, that Arizona trip is a massive outlier. The Yankees haven't played spring ball in Arizona since Joe DiMaggio was on the roster. Those two games against the Cubs on March 23 and 24 will likely be late-night watches for East Coasters, but they’ll be the "tune-up" games before the team flies to San Francisco for Opening Day on March 25.
How to Watch Without Cable
If you've ditched the cord, you have a few specific paths:
- Gotham Sports App: $24.99/month (roughly). This is the most direct way to get YES Network in-market.
- DIRECTV STREAM: You’ll need the "Choice" package or higher to get YES. It’s pricier, but it feels most like traditional TV.
- Fubo: They added YES Network back into the mix recently, making them a viable option for sports fans who need their RSNs (Regional Sports Networks).
- Hulu + Live TV: Good for the national games (ESPN, FOX), but usually lacks the local YES Network feed.
Making the Most of the Preseason
Don't just have the game on as background noise. The preseason is where the "bench mob" is built. Keep an eye on the battle for the 26th man on the roster. Usually, there’s a utility infielder or a middle-reliever spot that comes down to the final week in Florida (or Arizona this year).
Check the weather, too. If it’s raining in Tampa, YES often switches to "Yankees Classics" or "Yankees Hot Stove." It’s sort of a rite of passage for fans to get hyped for a game only to see a 20-year-old replay of Derek Jeter hitting a home run because of a Florida thunderstorm.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Download the Gotham Sports App now: Don't wait until the first pitch on Feb 21 to find out your login doesn't work.
- Sync your calendar: Most team sites offer a "download to calendar" feature that updates with TV listings as they are finalized.
- Check the WBC schedule: If your favorite player is missing from a Yankees broadcast, they’re probably playing for their country.
- Budget for the Arizona games: Those final two games against the Cubs might be on different networks due to the location change, so keep an eye on MLB Network listings for those dates.