For the first time in two seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers will not be starting their season with an international series. The Dodgers instead are scheduled to open their 2026 season at Dodger Stadium against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Not only are the Dodgers back to being part of domestic Opening Day, but their March 26 game is going to be televised live on NBC and streamed via Peacock as part of the new MLB media rights contracts.
NBCUniversal’s agreement with MLB secured a package that includes the return of Sunday Leadoff on Peacock, Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts and all four Wild Card Series of the postseason. The partnership additionally will bring a slate of regular season and postseason games to NBC’s broadcast channel, new NBC Sports’ cable network (NBCSN) and Peacock’s streaming service.
Sunday Night Baseball will continue to be the only MLB game scheduled that night, like when ESPN had the television rights.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ Opening Day game will be NBC’s first presentation of an MLB game next season. NBC previously had an MLB package 1947-1989 and again from 1994-2000, during which the network was home to numerous World Series, All-Star Games, NBC Games of the Week, and some of the most memorable moments in baseball history.
Under the new three-year contract with MLB, NBC will air select special events, including primetime matchups on Opening Day and Labor Day.
NBCUniversal also is going to be part of broadcasting some festivities during All-Star Week. Specifically, NBC and Peacock will present the first hour of the MLB Draft, which is being moved to the Saturday before the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. Peacock/NBCSN and MLB Network will carry the remainder of the first round.
NBC and Peacock also gained rights to the Futures Game, and a new event that will feature former players and celebrities.
Dodgers Opening Day at home
After back-to-back Opening Days in Seoul and Tokyo, respectively, the Dodgers will be back home at Dodger Stadium for their first game of the 2026 season. While there were many benefits of participating in the MLB World Tour initiative, the accelerated schedule was a major drawback.
The Dodgers started their 2024 and 2025 seasons on March 20 and March 18, respectively. In 2026, the Dodgers open their season with 28 other teams on March 26. While about a week’s difference might not seem like a big deal, the earlier start meant the entire timeline of their offseason program also shifted.
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