ESPN announced its Major League Baseball game selections for the 2026 season, beginning with a matchup between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers on Jackie Robinson Day at 7:10 p.m. PT.
The April 15 date marks the 79th anniversary of Robinson breaking the MLB color barrier. As per tradition, all players, managers and coaches will wear Robinson’s iconic No. 42 in Dodger Blue, regardless of their primary team colors.
It is also expected that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will gather the team, front office members and other personnel in front of the Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium to reflect on the Hall of Famer’s impact.
The Jackie Robinson Day contest is the first of 30 games that are going to be broadcast by ESPN next season. The network will additionally air a special Memorial Day game between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals on May 25.
Furthermore, ESPN is going to broadcast the second-half opener between the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies on July 16.
The network will also continue to be the home of the MLB Little League Classic, with next year’s matchup featuring the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 23.
The exclusive matchups are part of MLB’s new media rights deal with ESPN. The network will also stream more than 150 out-of-market games via its new app.
MLB’s new media rights deals
Although MLB and ESPN are continuing a partnership that dates back to 1990, the self-proclaimed “worldwide leader in sports” will no longer broadcast Sunday Night Baseball and Wild Card Series games next season.
Those instead will be carried by NBCUniversal, who also reacquired the rights to MLB Sunday Leadoff games.
ESPN additionally lost the rights to the Home Run Derby, which went to Netflix. The streaming service will air an Opening Night exclusive and the Field of Dreams game as well.
Meanwhile, Fox networks will continue to air select contests during the regular season, the All-Star Game, Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series.
Turner networks will televise regular season games on Tuesday nights, the Division Series and League Championship Series.
Apple TV+ additionally remains the home of Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders throughout the regular season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
