World Baseball Network has built an updated ledger for the 2026 Major League Baseball season detailing national televised and streaming market games across domestic and global platforms. This ledger reflects confirmed broadcast rights and platform ownership under MLB’s current media agreements. Individual game schedules remain subject to flexing and network adjustments.
Overview: MLB National Media Rights Entering 2026
On November 19, Major League Baseball announced new multi-year media rights agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix, reshaping the league’s national broadcast and streaming landscape beginning with the 2026 season.
ESPN acquired the rights to distribute MLB.TV and a national midweek game package, while NBCUniversal secured rights to Sunday Night Baseball, MLB Sunday Leadoff, and the entire Wild Card Round across NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock.
MLB has formed new three-year media rights agreements with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN.
The agreements, which cover rights for the 2026-2028 MLB seasons, mark the return of NBC to regularly airing MLB games on its broadcast network for the first time in 26 years, will expand… pic.twitter.com/uqMXYpbQFP
— MLB (@MLB) November 19, 2025
According to MLB.com, ESPN will receive a national midweek game package throughout the season and acquire the rights to sell MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market streaming service, which recorded 19.4 billion minutes watched in 2025.
ESPN: MLB.TV, Midweek Games & In-Market Streaming
MLB.TV Distribution and ESPN App Integration
Beginning in 2026, ESPN has secured the rights to sell and distribute MLB.TV across its digital and streaming platforms. Fans will be able to purchase MLB.TV independently, bundled with ESPN+, or packaged alongside other ESPN subscriptions.
In 2025, MLB.TV set a full-season record with 19.4 billion minutes watched, a 34 percent increase year-over-year.
ESPN will stream over 150 out-of-market games, approximately one per day, through the ESPN app.
ESPN & MLB reach fan-focused new agreement ft. national & local rights collection
In '26, ESPN becomes exclusive https://t.co/nTuigP01TM rights holder (incl. thousands of games every season)
Plus, exclusive local in-market rights to 6 #MLB Clubs & a 30-game exclusive package… pic.twitter.com/1aFor6YEEt
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) November 19, 2025
ESPN Midweek Package & In-Market Rights
ESPN will carry a national midweek game package and has added exclusive local in-market streaming rights for six MLB franchises under a 30-game exclusive package.
ESPN will also distribute MLB Network and select in-market games produced by Major League Baseball.
Netflix: Special Events, Opening Night & Global Baseball
Netflix MLB Special Event Coverage
Netflix announced on November 19 that it will televise major MLB events in 2026, including Opening Night, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, MLB at Field of Dreams, and select annual MLB special event games.
MLB Opening Night
T-Mobile Home Run Derby
MLB at Field of DreamsMLB will be LIVE on Netflix starting in 2026! pic.twitter.com/GhqcNuDhXX
— Netflix (@netflix) November 19, 2025
Opening Night on Netflix
Netflix will exclusively stream Opening Night of the 2026 MLB regular season on Wednesday, March 25, when the New York Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. The game time has yet to be announced.
Field of Dreams Game
The 2026 Field of Dreams Game will be broadcast live on Netflix from Dyersville, Iowa, on August 13, featuring the Minnesota Twins vs. Philadelphia Phillies at 7:15 p.m. EDT.
MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning production team will produce these events in partnership with Netflix’s production team.
World Baseball Classic (Japan)
Netflix will exclusively stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic live and on demand in Japan. Fox and Fox Deportes will continue to carry the World Baseball Classic in the United States and Latin America.
NBCUniversal: Sunday Baseball, Postseason & All-Star Week
Return of MLB to NBC
NBC Sports announced MLB’s return to NBC platforms for the first time in 25 years. NBC and Peacock will serve as the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball and MLB Sunday Leadoff beginning in 2026.
Wild Card & Postseason Coverage
NBCUniversal will televise all MLB Wild Card Round games across NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock.
All-Star Week Coverage
NBCUniversal will gain a presence during All-Star Week, including the MLB Draft, the All-Star Futures Game, and additional special events.
https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1991266402108391617
2026 MLB Sunday Leadoff Schedule
2026 MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule showing Peacock and NBCSN broadcasts
Fox, FS1 & World Baseball Classic Coverage
FOX and FS1 will continue to be the home of the World Series, League Championship Series, Division Series, All-Star Game, select regular-season games, and the World Baseball Classic.
FOX Deportes will televise the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Latin America, with Fox Sports carrying all 47 games in the United States.
TBS, Apple TV+ & MLB Network
TBS
TBS will continue serving as the home of League Championship Series, Division Series, and Tuesday night regular-season MLB games.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ will continue streaming Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders throughout the regular season.
MLB Network
MLB Network will continue airing live games, its Showcase package, and studio programming, and will collaborate on production for select Netflix and NBC events.
Final Notes
All schedules and start times remain subject to flexing and platform adjustments under Major League Baseball’s media rights agreements. World Baseball Network will continue tracking updates across domestic and international platforms throughout the 2026 season.
Photo: New York Yankees announcer Mel Allen, seated, reports the game between the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles from the television box behind home plate at Yankee Stadium on May 11, 1956. Behind the camera, center, is Jim Woods. (AP Photo/Robert Kradin)
